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HE WAS STARTLED P,V A SOFT “HIST! 






Vfrr library of 
CONGRESS, 

T'<»o C( RtCSivED 

AUG. ^902 

COPVtJIOHT EIXT^' 

CLASS^ Pi^ XXr No. 

a cf -) ? 3 

copv 9 







Copyright 1902 by The Penn Publishing Company 


Published August 15, 1902 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


Contents 



CHAP. 


I 


II 


III 


IV 


% VI 
VII 
VIII 

IX 

X 

XI 

XII 

XIII 

XIV 
XV 

XVI 

XVII 


Unwelcome Guests at the Three Oaks 

Inn 5 

Relating a Wild Night Ride .... 23 

Black Sam 36 

Making an Enemy Serve the Patriot 

Cause 51 

The Magic of a Name 67 

A Great Man’s Counsel 79 

A Friend on the Enemy’s Side .... 89 

Uncle Ephraim Displays Great Inter- 
est 106 

A Midnight Burying 118 

The Landing of the Enemy 132 

A Messenger of Defeat 144 

Hadley Gets Better Acquainted with 

Colonel Knowles 159 

With “ Mad Anthony ” Wayne ... 174 
The Occupation of Philadelphia . . 188 
Hadley is Cast Off by Uncle Ephraim 201 
From Germantown to Valley Forge . 217 
A Perilous Mission 227 


3 


Contents 


XVIII 

XIX 

XX 

XXI 

XXII 

XXIII 

XXIV 
XXV 

XXVI 

XXVII 


PAGE 

A Chase and a Surprise 240 

One Side of a Story 252 

Colonel Knowles’ Eyesight is Poor . 265 

The Call of Duty 279 

The Grain 291 

Uncle Ephraim Fulfills a Vow . . . 300 

The Candle Burns Out 311 

The Bushwhackers Again 323 

The Miser’s Gold 336 

When a Rebellion Becomes a Rev- 
olution 350 


4 


WITH WASHINGTON AT 
VALLEY FORGE 


CHAPTER 1 

UNWELCOME GUESTS AT THE THKEE OAKS INN 

All day the strident whistle of the locust had 
declared for a continuation of the parching 
heat. The meadows lay brown under the glare 
of the August sun ; the roads were deep in 
powdery yellow dust. The cattle stood with 
sweating flanks in the shade of the oaks which 
bordered the stage track, and although the sun 
was now declining toward the summits of the 
distant mountains, all nature continued in the 
somnolence of noon. 

A huddle of sheep under a wagon shed and 
the lolling form of a big collie dog in the barn- 
yard were the only signs of life about the Three 
Oaks Inn. Mistress and maids, as well as the 
guests now sheltered by its moss-grown roof, 
had retired to the cooler chambers, and Jonas 
5 


With Washington at Valley Forge 

Benson, the portly landlord, snored loudly in 
his armchair in the hall. Out of this hall, with 
its exposed beams of time-blackened oak and 
its high fanlight over the entrance, opened 
the main room, its floor sanded in an intricate 
pattern that very morning by one of the maids. 
Across the hall was the closed door of the dark- 
ened parlor. 

Had Jonas Benson been of a more wakeful 
mind, this hot afternoon, it is quite likely that 
the narrative would never have been written. 
But he snored on while behind the closed door 
of the parlor were whispered words which, had 
they reached his ears, would have put him in- 
stantly on the alert. 

The year was 1777, a fateful one indeed for 
the American arms in the struggle for liberty — 
a year of both blessing and misfortune for the 
patriot cause. Within its twelve months the 
Colonies achieved some notable victories; but 
they suffered, too, memorable defeats. It was 
the year when human liberty seemed trem- 
bling in the balance, when all nations — even 
France — stood aloof waiting to see whether 
the star of the American Colonies was setting 
or was on the ascendant. The British army 
6 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


under Howe and Clinton occupied New York. 
Washington and his little force lay near Phila- 
delphia, then the capital of the newly formed 
confederation. New Jersey — all the traveled 
ways between the two armies — was disputed 
territory, disturbed continually by a guerilla 
warfare, most hard for the peacefully-inclined 
farmers and tradespeople to bear. 

Spies of both sides infested the country ; for- 
aging parties, like the rain, descended upon the 
just and the unjust; and neighbors who had 
lived in harmony for years before the war 
broke out, were now at dagger’s point. The 
Tories had grown confident, because of the 
many setbacks endured by the patriot forces. 
Many even prophesied that, when Burgoyne’s 
army, then being gathered beyond the Canadian 
border, should descend the valleys of upper New 
York and finally join Howe and Clinton, the 
handful of Americans bearing arms against 
the king would be fairly swept into the sea, 
or ground as grist between the upper and 
nether mill-stones of the victorious British 
lines. 

Jonas Benson was intensely patriotic, and the 
Three Oaks had given shelter oft and again to 
7 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


scouts and foraging parties of the Continental 
troops. The innkeeper had given the pick of 
his horses to the army, reserving few but such 
nags as were positively needed for the coach 
which went down to Trenton at irregular 
intervals. There were more than his staid 
coach horses in the stable on this afternoon, 
however, and the fact was much to his dis- 
pleasure. 

There had arrived at the Three Oaks, 
the evening before, a private carriage drawn 
by a pair of handsome bays and driven by 
a most solemn-faced Jehu, whose accent was 
redolent of Bow Bells. With the carriage 
came a gentleman — a fierce, military-looking 
man, thougli not in uniform — who rode a 
charger, which, so Jonas told his wife, would 
have made a saint envious, provided the latter 
were a judge of horseflesh. Inside the car- 
riage rode a very pretty girl of sixteen or 
seventeen, whose dress and appearance were 
much different from the country lasses of that 
region. 

TheyTe surely gentle folk, Jonas,^’ Mistress 
Benson had declared. ‘^Tlie sweet child is a 
little lady — see how proud she holds herself. 

8 


With Washington at Valley Forge 

Lawk ! it’s been a long day since we served real 
gentles here.” 

Jonas snorted disdainfully ; he suspected that 
at heart his good wife had royalist tendencies. 
As for him, the American officers who some- 
times made the Three Oaks their headquarters 
for a few days were fine enough folk. “ I tell 
ye what, woman,” he said, they may be great 
folk or not; one thing I do know, they possess 
great infiuen.ce, or they’d never got through the 
Britishers with them fine nags. And if the 
outposts weren’t so far away, I’m blessed if I 
believe they’d get away from here without our 
own lads having a shy at the horses.” 

But the Bensons were too busy making their 
guests comfortable to discuss them — or their 
horses — to any length. Colonel Creston 
Knowles was the name the gentleman gave, 
and the girl was his daughter, Lillian. The 
driver of the carriage, who served the colonel 
as valet as well, was called William, and a more 
stony-faced, unemotional individual it had never 
been the fate of the Bensons to observe. It was 
utterly impossible to draw from this servant a 
word regarding his master’s business between the 
lines of the opposing armies. 

9 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 



These visitors -were not desired by Jonas. He 
kept a public bouse, and, for the sake of being 
at peace with everybody, his Tory neighbors 
included, he treated all guests who came to the 
Three Oaks with unfailing cordiality. But the 
presence of Colonel Knowles at this time was 
bound to cause trouble. 

The inn was on the road usually traversed by 
those in haste to reach Philadelphia, where, 
while Washington’s army was posted nearby. 
Congress held its session. Many a time the 
peace of the country night was broken by the 
rattle of hoofs on the road, as a breathless rider 
dashed into the inn yard, and with a loud 
Halloa !” aroused the stable boy. Then, in a 
few moments, astride a fresh horse, the unsea- 
sonable visitor would hurry on in the night. 
These dispatch-bearers of the American army 
knew they could trust mine host of the Three 
Oaks and that a ridable nag could always be 
found somewhere in his stable. 

The very night Colonel Knowles arrived at 
the tavern there was an occurrence of this kind. 
And after the dispatch-bearer had gone and 
Jonas and Hadley Morris, the stable boy, stood 
in the paved yard watching him disappear on 


10 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the moonlit road, they saw a night-capped head 
at the colonel’s window. 

We’ll have no peace, Had, while yon Brit- 
isher’s hereabout,” muttered the innkeeper. 

I wonder why he has come into this coun- 
try, so far from New York?” was the boy’s 
observation. He can’t be upon military serv- 
ice, though he be a colonel in His Majesty’s 
army. 

He’s here for no good, mark that. Had,” 
grumbled Jonas. I’d rather have no guests 
at the Three Oaks than men of his kidney.” 

His daughter is a pretty girl and kindly 
spoken.” 

That may be — that may be,” testily. 
‘‘You’re as short-sighted as Mistress Benson, 
Had. Ye’ll both let this Master Creston 
Knowles throw dust in your eyes because he’s 
got a pretty daughter. Bah !” And Jonas 
stumped back to bed, leaving the stable boy to 
retire to his couch. 

But had these well-founded suspicions been 
to any purpose the innkeeper surely would 
have remained awake on the afternoon our 
story opens, instead of lolling, sound asleep, in 
his wide chair in the hall. Behind the parlor 
11 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


door, not ten feet away, Colonel Crestqn 
Knowles was conversing in a low tone with his 
serving man. 

And you say it happened twice during the 
night, sirrah ?” queried the British officer, who 
spoke to everybody but his daughter with 
sternness. 

“ Twice, hand it please ye, sir. Hi’in sure 
the stable was h opened once hafter the time you 
was hup, sir, hand another ’orse taken out. My 
life ! but Hi thought hit thieves hat first, sir — 
some o’ them murderin’ cowboys ; but the young- 
lad has ’tends to the ’orses seemed to know them 
that came, hand they did not touch hour liani- 
mals, sir.” 

‘‘It’s a regular nest of rebels!” exclaimed 
the Colonel, his brow black enough at the 
report. “ Such places as this should be razed 
to the earth. The spies who report to this Mr. 
Washington and his brother rebels evidently 
have free course through the country. They 
even exchange their steeds here — with Mal- 
colm’s troop lying less than six miles away this 
very day. William !” 

“Yes, sir?” 

The Colonel beckoned him nearer and whis- 


12 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


pered an inaudible order in the man’s ear. 
There was no change of expression upon the 
servant’s countenance and the command might 
have been welcome or distasteful as far as an 
observer could have told. When the Colonel 
ceased speaking William arose without a word 
and tiptoed cautiously to the door. On pulling 
this ajar, however, the lusty snoring of Jonas 
Benson warned him of the inn-keeper’s j)res- 
ence. He closed the door again, nodded to the 
Colonel, and vaulted through one of the open 
windows, thus making his exit without disturb- 
ing the landlord. 

But although everybody about the tavern 
itself seemed to be slumbering, the Colonel’s 
man found that he could not enter the stable 
without being observed. As he came out of the 
glare of the sunshine into the half darkness of 
the wide threshing-floor the Englishman sud- 
denly discovered that he was not alone. The 
stable boy, Hadley Morris, was just buckling 
the saddle girth upon a nervous little black 
mare whose bit was fastened to a long halter 
hanging from one of the cross beams. 

Hadley was a brawny youth for his age, 
which was seventeen. He was by no means 

13 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


handsome, and few boys would be attractive- 
looking in the clothing of a stable boy. Yef 
there was that in his carriage, in the keen- 
ness of his eye, in the firm lines of his chin 
and lip, which would have attracted a sec- 
ond glance from any thoughtful observer. 
He had been now more than a year at the 
Three Oaks Inn, ever since it had become too 
unpleasant for him to longer remain with his 
uncle, Ephraim Morris, a Tory farmer of the 
neighborhood. Hadley was legally bound to 
Ephraim, better known, perhaps, as Miser 
Morris,” and, of course, was not permitted to 
join the patriot army, as he had wished. The 
youth might have broken away from his uncle 
altogether had he so desired, but there were 
good reasons why he had not yet taken this de- 
cisive step. 

He had found it next to impossible to longer 
live under his uncle’s roof, however, preferring 
to work for Jonas Benson and allow that 
grumbling individual to pay over to the farmer 
the monthly wage which he faithfully earned. 
Hadley found occasion oft and again to further 
the cause which in his soul he espoused. It 
was he rather than the landlord who saw to it 


14 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


that the fleetest horse in the stable was ready 
saddled against the expected arrival of one of 
those dispatch-bearers whose coming and going 
had disturbed Colonel Knowles the night be- 
fore. As he now tightened the girth of the 
mare’s trappings she danced about as though 
eager to be footing it along the stage road to- 
ward the river. 

‘‘ So you are riding hout, too ?” observed the 
Colonel’s servant, going toward the stalls occu- 
pied by his master’s thoroughbreds. There’s 
a deal of going back and forth ’ere, hit seems to 
me.” 

‘‘ Oh, it’s nothing so lively as it was before 
the war broke out,” Hadley explained, good- 
naturedly. ‘‘ Then the coaches went out thrice 
a week to Trenton, and one of the New York 
and Philadelphia stages always stopped here, 
going and coming. Business is killed and the 
country is all but dead now.” William grunted 
as he backed out one of the carriage horses and 
threw his master’s saddle upon it. ^Wou’re 
going out yourself, I see,” Hadley said, ob- 
serving that the man did not saddle the 
Colonel’s charger. 

Hi’ve got to give th’ beasts some hexercise 
15 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


if wehe goiii^ to lie ’ere day hafter day,” grum- 
bled William, and swung himself quickly into 
the saddle. 

The boy went to the door and watched 
him ride heavily away from the inn, with a puz- 
zled frown upon his brow. “ He’s never going 
for exercise such a hot afternoon as this,” mut- 
tered the youth. There ! he’s put the horse 
on the gallop. He’s going somewhere a-pur- 
pose — and he’s in haste. Will he take the turn 
to the Mills, I wonder, or keep straight on for 
Trenton ?” 

The trees which shaded the road hid horse 
and rider, and leaving the little mare standing 
on the barn floor, Hadley ran hastily up the 
ladder to the loft, and then by a second ladder 
reached the little cupola, or ventilator, which 
Master Benson had built atop his barn. From 
this point of vantage all the roads converging 
near the Three Oaks Inn could be traced for 
several miles. Behind the cluster of tall trees 
which gave the inn its name a road branched 
off toward the Mills. In a minute or less the 
watcher saw a horseman dash along this road 
amid a cloud of dust. 

“ He’s bound for the Mills — and in a wonder- 


16 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


ful hurry. What was it Lafe Holdness told us 
when he was along here the other day ? Some- 
thing about a troop of British horse being at 
the Mills, I’ll be bound.” Then he turned to- 
ward the east and looked carefully along the 
brown road, on which any person coming from 
the way of New York would naturally travel. 
“ Well, there’s nobody in sight yet. If that 
fellow uieans mischief — Ah ! but it’s six 
miles to the Mills, and if he continues to ride 
like that on this hot day the horse will be done 
for long before he gets there.” 

He descended the ladders, however, with 
anxious face, and during the ensuing hour made 
many trips to the wide gateway which opened 
upon the dusty road. There was not a sign of 
life, however, in either direction. 

Meanwhile the tavern awakened to its ordi- 
nary life and bustle. The last rays of the sun 
slanted over the mountain tops, and the shadows 
crept farther and farther across the meadows. 
The old collie arose and stretched himself lazily, 
while the tinkle of sheep bells and the heavier 
jangle which betrayed the approach of the cat- 
tle cut the warm air sharply. A breeze arose, 
curling the road dust in little spirals and rust- 
17 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


ling the oak leaves. Dusk was approaching to 
relieve panting nature. 

Jonas awoke with a start, and came out upon 
the tavern porch to stretch himself. He saw 
Hadley standing by the gateway, and asked : 

“ Got the mare saddled. Had V 
Yes, sir. She’s been standing on the barn 
floor for an hour. One of the other horses has 
gone out, sir.” 

“ Hell ? How’s that ?” He tiptoed softly to 
the end of the porch so as to be close above the 
boy. ‘‘ Who’s been here ?” he asked. 

“ Nobody. But the Colonel’s man took one 
of those bays and started for the Mills an hour 
ago.” 

I d’know as I like the sound of that,” mut- 
tered Jonas. I wish these folks warn’t here — 
that I do. They ain’t meanin’ no good — ” 

‘‘Hush!” whispered Hadley, warni ugly. 

From the wide tavern door there suddenly 
appeared the British colonel’s daughter. She 
was, indeed, a pretty girl and her smile was 
infectious. Even Jonas’ face cleared at sight of 
her, and he hastened, as well as a man of his 
portliness could, to set a chair for her. 

“ It is very beautiful here,” Mistress Lillian 
18 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


said, and so peaceful. I got so tired in New 
York seeing soldiers everywhere and hearing 
about war. It doesn’t seem as though anything 
ever happened here.” 

‘‘ I b’lieve something’s goin’ to happen b’fore 
long, though,” the landlord whispered anxiously, 
to Hadley, and walked to the other end of the 
porch, leaving the two young people together. 

“ It is usually very quiet about here,” Hadley 
said, trying to speak easily to the guest. He 
was not used to the society of girls, and Mistress 
Lillian Knowles was altogether out of his class. 
He felt himself rough and uncouth in her pres- 
ence. “ But we see soldiers once in a while.” 

“ Our soldiers ?” asked the girl, smiling. 

“ No — not British soldiers,” Hadley replied 
slowly. 

Oh, you surely don’t call those ragamuffin 
colonists soldiers, do you ?” she asked quickly. 

A crimson flush spread from Hadley’s bronzed 
neck to his brow; but in a moment a little 
smile curled his lips and his eyes twinkled. 
‘‘ I don’t know what you’d really call them ; 
but they made vour grenadiers fall back at 
Bunker Hill.” 

Mistress Lillian bit her lip in anger ; then, 
19 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


as she looked down into the stable-boy’s face 
her own countenance cleared and she laughed 
aloud. I don’t think I’ll quarrel with you,” 
she said. You are a rebel, I suppose, and I 
am an English girl. You don’t know what it 
means to be born in the old country and — ” 

‘^Oh, yes I do. I was born in England my- 
self,” Hadley returned. My mother brought 
me across when she came to keep house for 
Uncle Ephraim Morris — ” 

‘‘Who?” interposed Lillian, turning toward 
him again with astonishment in both voice and 
countenance. 

“ My mother.” 

“ No, no ! I mean the man — your uncle. 
What is his name?” 

“ Ephraim Morris. He is a farmer back 
yonder,” and Hadley pointed over his shoulder. 
“ My name is Hadley Morris.” 

Before Lillian could comment upon this, or 
explain her sudden interest in his uncle’s name, 
both were startled by an exclamation from the 
landlord at the other end of the porch. 

“ Had ! Had !” he called. “ He’s coming.” 

Hadley left the gate at once and leaped into 
the road. Far down the dusty highway there 
20 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


appeared a little balloon of dust and the faint 
ring of rapid hoofs reached their ears. Some- 
body was riding furiously toward the inn from 
the east. Lillian rose to look, too, and in the 
doorway appeared the grim figure of her father. 
His face was very stern indeed as he gazed, as 
the others were gazing, down the road. 

The advancing horseman was less than a 
quarter of a mile away when, of a sudden, there 
sounded a single pistol shot — then another and 
another. It was a scattering volley, but at the 
first report those watching at the inn could see 
the approaching horse fairly leap ahead under 
the spur of its rider. 

‘‘ Ha ! the scoundrels are after him cried 
the innkeeper, his fat face paling. 

The Colonehs countenance expressed sudden 
satisfaction. Go into the house, Lillian he 
commanded. There will be trouble here in a 
moment.’’ He brought out from under his coat- 
tails as he spoke a huge pistol, such as were 
usually carried in saddle holsters at that day. 

Hadley Morris, from the centre of the road, 
did not see the Colonel’s weapon. He only ob- 
served the approaching horseman in the cloud 
of dust, and knew him to be a dispatch-bearer 
21 


JVith Washington at Valley P'orge 


aiming to reach the ferry and Washington's 
headquarters beyond. In a moment there 
loomed up behind him a number of j^ursuers 
riding neck and neck upon his trail. They 
were British dragoons, and the space between 
them and their prey was scarce a hundred 
yards. 


22 


CHAPTER II 

RELATING A WILD NIGHT RIDE 

It did not take a very sharp eye to observe 
tliat the horse which the messenger bestrode 
was laboring sorely, while his pursuers were 
blessed with comparatively fresh mounts. The 
American had ridden long and hard and his 
steed was in no shape for such a spurt of speed 
as it was put to now. The British had kept 
clear of this road for weeks, because of the 
foraging parties from Philadelphia, and doubt- 
less the dispatch-bearer hoped to find at the 
Three Oaks Inn those who would stand him 
well in this emergency. 

At least, there would be a fresh horse there 
and perhaps a faithful man or two to help beat 
off the dragoons until he could escape with his 
precious charge. He had no thought that there 
was a greater danger ahead of him than behind. 
The dragoons were lashing and spurring their 
23 


IVtth Washington at Valley Forge 


horses to the utmost, and now and again one 
took a pot-shot at him ; but there on the porch 
of the old tavern stood Colonel Knowles wait- 
ing with all the calmness of a sportsman for 
the quarry to bring the fleeing man to earth. 

Young Hadley Morris did not notice the 
Colonel ; he had forgotten his presence in his 
interest in the flight and pursuit. But Jonas 
Benson saw his guest^s big pistol and realized 
the danger to the apj^roaching fugitive. Yet 
there seemed nothing he could do to avert the 
calamity. He dared not openly attack the 
Colonel, for whether the dispatch-bearer escaped 
or no, the dragoons would be at the tavern in a 
few moments and there being no such force of 
Americans in the neighborhood, they might 
wreak vengeance on him and on his property if 
he openly stayed the Coloners hand. The 
old man was hard 'put to it, indeed, in this 
emergency. 

Not so, Hadley, however. He was quick of 
thought and quite as brisk of action. The 
charge of galloping horse was but a short dis- 
tance away, the American still a little in the 
lead, when the boy darted back to the high 
iron gate which shut the tavern yard from 
24 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


the road. The barrier had been swung wide 
open and fastened with a loop of rope to a hook 
in the side of the house. He slipped this fast- 
ening and stood ready to shut the gate between 
the fugitive and his pursuers, and thus delay the 
latter for a possible few moments. 

If the dispatch-bearer got into the yard 
safely he could leap upon the back of the black 
mare now standing impatiently on the barn 
floor, and escape his pursuers through the field 
and orchard back of the inn outbuildings. No 
ordinary horse would be able to leap the high 
gate, and Hadley did not believe the dragoons 
were overly well mounted. As the dispatch- 
bearer dashed up, foam flying from his horse^s 
mouth and the blood dripping from its flanks 
where the cruel spurs had done their work, it 
looked to Colonel Knowles as though the 
American would ride right by, and he raised 
his pistol in a deliberate intention of bringing 
the man to earth. 

But as he pulled the trigger old Jonas 
stumbled against him and the ball went wide oi 
its mark. The shot did much harm, however, 
for it added to the fright of the already mad- 
dened horse, which leaped to one side, pitching 
25 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the man completely over its head upon the 
pavings of the tavern yard. The horse fell, 
too, but outside the gate, and Hadley was able 
to slam the barrier and drop the latch into 
place before the dragoons arrived. 

The explosion of the Colon eFs pistol and that 
officer’s angry shout, warned Hadley of the 
added and closer danger. He darted to the side 
of the fallen messenger. The poor fellow had 
struggled partly U2:> and was tearing at his coat. 
His face was covered with blood, for he was 
badly injured by his fall ; but one thought kept 
him conscious. 

‘‘The papers — the papers, lad !” he gasped. 
“For General Washington — quick !” 

But he had only half pulled the packet from 
his inner pocket when he dropped back U230n the 
flagstones, and, with a groan, lay still. Hadley 
seized the precious 23apers and lea 2 )ed to his 
feet. With a clatter of hoofs and amid a cloud 
of dust, the dragoons arrived at the gate. 

“ There he is ! He’s down — down !” shouted 
the leader. “We’ve got him safe! Hi, there, 
landlord ! Open your gate or we’ll batter it 
in !” 

“ They’ve got him safe, that’s a fact,” thought 
26 



«THE PAPERS— THE PAPERS, 



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IVifh Washington at Valley Forge 


Hadley, in distress. But — but they haven’t 
got the papers !” He turned swiftly and ran 
toward the barn. 

‘‘ There goes one of them running !” shouted 
a voice behind. Then a pistol exploded, and 
Hadley leaped forward as though the ball had 
stung him, although it whistled far above his 
head. 

Look out for that boy !” he heard Colonel 
Knowles say, and glancing back Hadley saw the 
officer leaning out of one of the tavern windows 
which overlooked the yard. At a neighboring 
casement the fleeing youth saw Lillian. Even 
at that distance, and in so perilous a moment, 
Hadley noticed that the girl’s face was very 
pale and that she watched him with clasped 
hands and anxious countenance. 

One of the dragoons had dismounted and now 
unbarred the gate. Before Hadley reached the 
wide doorway of the barn the soldiers were 
trooping through into the yard. 

The boy has the papers — look after him, I 
tell you !” he heard the Colonel shout. Then 
Hadley pulled the great door shut and fastened 
it securely on the inside. For an instant he 
could breathe. 


27 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


But only for an instant. The dragoons were 
at the door then, beating upon it with the hilts 
of their sabres and their pistol butts and demand- 
ing entrance. Hadley had no weapon had he 
desired to defend the barn from attack. And 
that would be a foolish attempt, indeed. It 
would be an easy matter for the dragoons to 
break down the fences and surround the barn 
so that he could not escape, and then beat in 
the door and capture him — and with him the 
papers. He did not know how valuable those 
documents might be ; but the courier man now 
lying senseless in the inn yard had saved them 
at the risk of his life ; the boy felt it his duty 
to do as much. 

Colonel Knowles had now come out into the 
yard and taken command of the attack. Evi- 
dently he was recognized by the British sol- 
diers, despite his civilian’s dress. He gave 
orders for a timber to be brought to beat in the 
door, and Hadley likewise heard him send two 
of the soldiers around the barn to w^atch the 
rear. If the boy would escape it must be within 
the next few seconds. 

He ran back to the rear of the building. 
Here was another wide door and he flung it 
28 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


open. The soldiers had not appeared ; but the 
doorsill was a dozen feet and more from the 
ground. The barn had been built on the side 
of a hill. Directly below the door was a pen in 
which hogs were kept. Twelve feet was a good 
drop and, besides, it would be impossible to es- 
cape the soldiers on foot. 

A crash sounded at the front of the building. 
The men had brought up the timber for a bat- 
tering ram. The door would certainly be burst 
inward before many moments. Hadley ran 
back to the waiting mare that already seemed 
to share his own excitement. He freed her 
from the halter and sprang into the saddle. He 
dared not try getting past his enemies when the 
door fell, and with a quick jerk of the rein he 
pulled the mare around. She trotted swiftly to 
the rear door which the boy had flung open ; 
but when she saw the distance to the ground 
below, her ears went back and she crouched. 

You've got to do it, Molly !" exclaimed the 
boy, desperately. He reached to the stanchion 
at his right hand and seized a riding whip 
hanging there. As the mare continued to back, 
Hadley brought the lash down again and again 
upon her quivering flank. The poor beast was 
29 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 

not used to such treatment and in her rage and 
fright she forgot the danger ahead and leaped 
straight out from the open stable door ! 

Hadley stood up in the stirrups when he felt 
her go. He knew where she would land, and he 
believed the feat would be without danger; but 
he was ready to kick out of the stirrups and save 
himself if the little mare missed her footing. 

Fortunately she landed just where he had 
planned. There was a pile of straw and 
barn scrapings below the door, and from this 
Black Molly rebounded as though from a mat- 
tress. She was not an instant in recovering 
herself, and still frightened by the sting of the 
whiplash, darted out through the orchard. 
Hadley flung away the whip and leaning for- 
ward, hugged her neck so as not to be swept 
off* by the low branches of the apple trees. 

There was a wild halloa behind him. The 
dragoons sent to cut off* his esca2)e had arrived 
too late ; and they vainly emptied their pistols 
at the flying black mare and her young rider. 

‘‘They won^t give up so readily,'' Hadley 
muttered, not daring to look around while still 
in the orchard. “That Colonel Knowles will 
never be outwitted so easily by a boy. I'll 
30 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


make right for the ferry and perhaps I may 
meet Holdness somewhere on the road. I can 
give the papers up to him and I know he^ll find 
some way of getting them to General Wash- 
ington.^’ 

He pulled Black Molly’s head around and 
took a nearer slant for the road. The mare was 
more easily managed now and when he reached 
the stone fence which divided the orchard from 
the highway, his mount had forgotten her fright 
and allowed him to stop and fling down a part 
of the wall so that they could get through and 
down the bank into the road. Looking back 
before descending the bank, Hadley saw several 
horsemen streaming through the orchard be- 
hind him and, more to be feared than these, was 
the party leaving the inn yard and taking to the 
very road out upon which he had come. At the 
head of this second cavalcade rode Colonel 
Knowles himself on his great charger, and 
Hadley’s heart sank. Black Molly was famed 
throughout the countryside for her speed ; but 
that great beast of the Colonel’s — evidently 
brought from across the sea and a thoroughbred 
hunter — would be more than a match for the 
little mare in a long chase. 

31 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


‘‘ We must do our best, Molly,’’ cried the 
boy, slapping her side witli bis palm and riding 
down into the dusty road. You can keep 
ahead of them I know for a short distance, and 
you must do your best now. It will soon be too 
dark for them to see us clearly, and that’s a 
blessing.” 

The little mare needed no spur or urging. 
She clattered along the darkening road with 
head down and neck outstretched, Hadley riding 
with a loose rein 'and letting her pick her own 
way over the track. He could trust to her in- 
stinct more safely than to his own sight. The 
oaks cast thick shadows across his path and now 
the whole sky was turning a deej^ indigo, 
specked out here and there with starpoints. 
There was no moon until later, and he believed 
the darkness was more favorable to him than to 
his pursuers. 

He could hear the thunder of the hoofs be- 
hind him, however, and he patted Molly’s neck 
encouragingly and talked to her as she ran. 

Go it, girl ! you’ve got to go !” he said. ‘‘Just 
make your little feet fly. Hemember the times 
I’ve rubbed you down, and fed you, and taken you 
to water. Just do your very prettiest, my girl, 

32 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


for it’s more than my life you’ve got to save — 
it’s these papers, whatever they be.” 

And the little mare seemed to understand 
his sore need, for she strained every effort for 
speed. She fairly skimmed over the ground, 
and for the first mile or more the hoof-beats 
gained not at all upon them. Then, to Hadley’s 
straining ears, it seemed as though the pursuit 
grew closer. It was not a mob of hoof-beats 
which he heard, but the steady, unbroken gallop 
of one horse. And it took little intuition for 
the boy to know which this leading pursuer 
was. The great black charger, the Colonel’s 
mount, had left the dragoons behind, and its 
stride was now shortening the distance rapidly 
between its master and himself. 

Oh, Molly, run — run !” gasped the boy, dig- 
ging his heels into the mare’s sides. 

Molly was doing her best, yet the sound of 
the black horse’s hoofs grew louder. The road 
was not straight or Hadley might have looked 
back and seen the Colonel bearing down upon 
him. But the officer could doubtless follow his 
prey by the sound of Molly’s feet, quite as ac- 
curately as Hadley could judge his speed. At 
this thought, and hoping to put his pursuer at a 
33 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


disadvantage for the moment, the boy pulled 
the mare out upon the level sward beside the 
road. There she pattered along almost silently ; 
but the boy could hear the thunder of pursuit 
growing louder and louder. 

But now that the clatter of his own mounts 
hoofs were not in his ears, Hadley was suddenly 
aware of a new sound borne to him on the night 
air. And it was not from the rear, but from 
ahead — the loud complaint of ungreased axles ; a 
heavy wagon was coming slowly along the road. 

‘‘ If it should be Holdness !^’ gasped the boy. 
“ It sounds like his wagon.’’ 

Around another turn in the crooked road they 
flashed and then the creaking of the wheels 
were quite near. A great covered wagon loomed 
up in the dusk and Hadley uttered a cry of 

‘‘ Lafe ! Lafe Holdness !” he shouted, while 
yet the wagon was some rods away. 

But the driver of the squeaking vehicle heard 
him, and there was a flash of light as he rose up 
on the footboard and held the lantern above his 
head. 

Hi, there ! Slow down or ye’ll run over 
me !” drawled a nasal voice. 


34 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


The British are after me — I’ve got dis- 
patches !” shouted the boy, reining in the mare 
beside the wagon. 

“ Had Morris, as I’m a livin’ sinner ! Jefers- 
pelters ! What ye doin liere ?” Then the driver 
cocked his head and listened to the thud of 
hoofs behind the flying boy. “They’re arter 
ye close, lad — an’ Molly’s winded. Quick ! 
Back into the bushes yonder. It’s your best 
chance.” 

Hadley had ridden by, but he wheeled Molly 
about and forced her into the thick brush beside 
the road. Here, completely hidden, he pressed 
his hand upon her velvety nose, ready to stifle 
any desire on her part to whinny when the pur- 
suing horses should arrive. 

And they were liere in a moment now. 
Colonel Knowles on his great charger ahead, 
and the company of dragoons not many rods 
behind. 


35 


CHAPTER III 

BLACK SAM 

The officer, wheeling his big steed directly 
across the road, halted the astonished team of 
draught horses perforce. 

‘‘Who be yeou, mister, an^ whatd’ ye want?’’ 
drawled the teamster. “ There seems to be a 
slather o’ folks ridin’ this road ternight.” 

“ See you, sirrah !” exclaimed the Colonel, 
riding close up to the driver and scanning his 
smoothly shaven, humorous face closely. “ Has 
a boy on horseback just passed you?” 

“ Wa-al now, I couldn’t tell whether it was a 
boy ’r th’ old Nick himself,” declared Holdness, 
with apparent sincerity; “but suthin’ went by 
me as slick as er streak o’ greased lightnin’.” 

“ Sure he passed you ?” repeated the British 
officer. 

“ Honest Injun !” returned Holdness, with 
perfect truth. “ I didn’t ketch much of a sight 

36 


IVitk Washington at Valley Forge 


of him ; but he went past. What’s goin’ on, 
anyway sir?” 

But Colonel Knowles, having considered that 
he had found out all that was possible from the 
countryman, paid no attention to his question, 
but turned to the dragoons who now thundered 
up. “ He’s still ahead of us, men !” he cried. 
‘‘ We must overtake him before he reaches the 
ferry — ” 

Indeed we must. Colonel,” interposed the 
sergeant in command of the dragoons. There 
will be a force of the enemy at the ferry, it’s 
likely, and we must not be drawn into any 
skirmish. Those were my orders, sir, before I 
started.” 

After him at once !” shouted the older offi- 
cer. I tell you the boy must be stopped. The 
papers he bears may be of the utmost import- 
ance.” 

They were all off at a gallop the next in- 
stant, and the axles of the heavy wagon began 
to creak again. Them fellers seem toller’ble 
anxious ter see yeou. Had,” drawled Holdness, 
turning half around on his seat. What yeou 
been doin’ ?” 

Hadley allowed Black Molly to step out of 
37 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the bushes, and related in a few words the ex- 
citement at the inn and his escape from the 
barn. “ And now I want to know what to do 
with the papers, Lafe. Will you take ’em, 
and — ” 

‘‘No, sir! I can’t do it. I’ve orders to per- 
ceed just as I am perceedin’ now, an’ nothin’ 
goin’ ter stop me.” 

“ But the papers may be of importance. The 
man said they were for General Washington.” 

“ Then take ’em across the river an’ give ’em 
ter the Commander-in-chief yourself. That’s 
what yeou do, sonny 1” 

“ Me go to General Washington ?” cried Had- 
ley. 

“ Wa-al, that’s what I said. And if ye want 
my advice I sh’d say ter skin erlong now while 
ye’ve got th’ chanct. Them Britishers air likely 
ter come back here anytime an’ suspect suthin’, 
not findin’ ye on the ferry road. Yeou’d better 
skin acrost an’ take the lower road an’ keep 
away from the ferry altogether. There ain’t 
none of our troops there jest now — I c’d ha’ tol’ 
that little ossifer that if he’d axed me. Yeou 
kin git acrost th’ river an’ be at Germantown by 
sunrise — if ye git ter movin’ quick now.” 

38 


Washington at Valley Forge 


‘‘But what will Jonas say — ’’ 

“ Don’t yeou fret erbout Jonas. I’ll fix him 
as I go by. I can’t relieve ye of any responser- 
bility ; the duty’s yourn — do yeou do yer best 
with it.” 

Hadley very well knew that Lafe Holdness 
of all men was able to advise him rightly. The 
teamster — a thorough Yankee from the Massa- 
chusetts Colony — was one of Washington’s most 
trusted scouts at that time, and when he said 
that duty took him in the opj)Osite direction, 
Hadley knew it to be no use to try to turn him 
from his course. The packet of papers which 
the boy had taken from the injured dispatch- 
bearer were his affair, not Lafe’s. He must 
carry them himself to their destination, and 
although he trembled before the task, his heart 
likewise throbbed at the prospect. To go on 
toward Philadelphia — to see, perhaps. General 
Washington himself — the project could not 
have failed of stirring the blood in ais veins. 

“ I’ll do it, Lafe !” he exclaimed. “ But I 
don’t know what Uncle Ephraim will say when 
he hears of it. He’ll think I’ve run away to 
join the army.” 

“ Don’t yeou worry erbout ol’ Miser Morris, 
39 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Had. He^s as mean a Tory as there is in New 
Jarsey, ef lie is your kin. 

Take the lower road,’’ Holdness advised 
again, an’ try to git across the river before 
midnight. When those dragoons find nobody 
at the ferry they might take it inter their pesky 
heads ter s’arch along the river bank. The 
Alwoods have got a bateau there ” — 

“ I don’t believe I could trust them,” Hadley 
interrupted. 

“ I know. They’re pizen Tories — the hull 
on ’em. But there’s a long-laiged boy there; 
what’s his name?” 

‘‘ ’Lonzo.” 

“ Ya-as. That’s him. Mebbe you c’d make 
him pole ye over.” 

’Lon doesn’t like me any too well,” Hadley 
returned, with a laugh. He wanted to work 
for Jonas and Jonas wouldn’t have him, but 
took me instead.” 

‘Wn’ good reason for it, too,” Holdness said. 

Jonas didn’t want one o’ that nest o’ Tories 
spyin’ on everything that goes on up to the 
inn. Wa-al, ye’ll hafter do what seems best 
ter ye when yeou git there, Had. That’s all I 
kin tell yer erbout it. Bide quick, an’ find some 
40 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


way of crossing as soon as possible. AVhen ye 
hit aour lines — ’’ 

But the boy had already given his impatient 
mount the rein, and the mare, well recovered 
from her fast pace while escaping from the 
dragoons, trotted rapidly along the farm path 
which here opened out of the stage-road. Night 
had shut down completely now, and without a 
moon. The earth was wrapped in a thick 
mantle of darkness, and under the trees which 
by day shadowed the farm path Hadley Morris 
was forced to depend entirely upon the mare’s 
good sense in picking her way. The path led 
across a corner of his uncle’s farm, and he 
knew the neighborhood well enough. At one 
point he saw the flash of a lamp in the window 
of Ephraim Morris’s kitchen, where the old 
man now lived alone. He had been too penu- 
rious to pay a housekeeper since Hadley’s 
mother died, and now that the boy had left 
him, too, he made shift to do all his housework 
himself, and a sorry thing he made of it. 

As he had time from his duties at the inn, 
Hadley was in the habit of going over to the 
farmhouse and cleaning up a little for the old 
man. The farm itself was run like clockwork. 


41 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


and old Ephraim had plenty of help, for he 
was a money-maker as well as a money-saver. 
But none of the help were ever allowed inside 
the door of his dwelling. The old man be- 
lieved that everybody was after his savings, 
and although he was unkind and crabbed to 
his nephew, Hadley was the only person he 
really trusted. The boy pitied him more than 
aught else, and although he could no longer 
live under his uncle’s roof, he could not bring 
himself to break with him altogether. In the 
unsettled state of the community and of the 
laws at that time Ephraim Morris would have 
had a hard time indeed to hold his nephew to 
his bond and keep him out of the American 
army; but to Hadley it was more than a legal 
bond — it represented a promise to his mother 
which in honor he could not break. 

Had he not been so hurried on this night, 
and his errand been so important, he would 
have stopped long enough to see if his uncle 
was all right. But now he rode past the house 
at a distance of a few rods, heard the big hound 
baying angrily at the sound of his horse’s hoof- 
beats, and hurried on to the highway which 
bounded the rear of the farm. On this road 


42 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


were a few scattered dwellings, mostly inhabited 
by farmers of more than suspected royalist ten- 
dencies. In the house nearest the river lived a 
family named Alvvood, the oldest son of which 
was in a Tory regiment ; the other boy, a youth 
of about Hadley’s age, was one with whom our 
hero had come in contact more than once. 

As long as human nature is practically unre- 
generate we are all bound to have our likes and 
dislikes, and age is not behind youth in this. 
There are people whom we cannot meet even 
casually without clashing, and Hadley Morris 
was no exception to the general rule. He and 
young Alwood were at loggerheads, and per- 
haps by no fault of the former. Alonzo Al- 
wood had desired Hadley’s place at the Three 
Oaks Inn, and Jonas had hired Hadley; then, 
Lon and his folks were intensely loyal to the 
king, whereas, although old Ephraim Mor- 
ris was well known as a Tory, it was not hard 
to guess Hadley’s love for the American cause. 
In a mixed community, where patriotic farmers 
and Tories both resided, it was very difficult to 
eliminate personal encounters among the grown 
men, and even more so among the boys. 

Hadley and Lon Alwood had attended 

43 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


the same school previous to the breaking out of 
the war, and for months before the massacre at 
Lexington, in the Massachusetts Colony, feeling 
had run high here in Jersey. The school itself 
had finally been closed, owing to the divided 
opinions of its supporters ; and whereas Hadley 
had been prominent among the boys opposed to 
king and Parliament, Lon was equally forward 
among those on the other side. Many of their 
comrades, boys little older than themselves, 
were in one or the other army now, and Hadley 
Morris thought of this with some sadness as he 
rode on through the night. 

Perhaps he would never see some of his old 
school chums again. Education was hard 
enough to come by in those times, and the boy 
appreciated the slight chance with which he 
had been blessed. The few months Uncle 
Ephraim had spared him from the farm to at- 
tend school in the winter had been helpful 
indeed to him. And that fact, perhaps, made 
the friendships formed during his school terms 
seem the more })recious. 

“ I only hope I won’t run across Lon,” Had- 
ley muttered, as Black Molly clattered along. 
‘‘ I don’t just see how I am to pole that heavy 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


flatboat across the river alone ; but I cannot 
call upon any of the A1 woods to help me. Ah ! 
there’s Sam.” 

Not that Hadley saw the individual of whom 
he spoke ahead of him. Indeed, he could not 
see a dozen feet before the mare’s nose. But 
there had flashed into his mind the remembrance 
of the black man who was one of the few slaves 
in the neighborhood. Black Sam belonged to 
the A1 woods, and although an old man, he was 
still vigorous. He lived alone in a little hut on 
the river bank, and it was near his cabin that 
the Alwoods’ bateau was usually chained. The 
old slave was a favorite with all the boys, and 
Hadley Morris had reason to know that Sam 
was to be trusted. More than once he had fer- 
ried travelers over the river in his master’s 
bateau — travelers who did not consider it well 
to cross at the regular ferry above. And these 
persons the Alwoods knew nothing about ; if 
they had, poor Sam’s back would certainly have 
suffered for his work. Sam was heartily for the 
cause of the Colonies, and not entirely for the 
reason that the men he helped across the river 
paid him well, either. 

When the young dispatch-bearer reached the 
45 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


bank and the black man’s hut, his mare was all 
of a lather and it was upwards of ten o’clock. 
The Alwood house was several rods away, and 
as was the case with all the other farm-houses 
he had passed since crossing his uncle’s estate, 
was wrapped in darkness. Nobody would travel 
these Jersey roads by night, or remain up to 
such an hour, unless urgency commanded. 

Hadley rolled off his mount and rapped 
smartly on the cabin door. He was not sure 
that Black Sam was there, although through 
the gloom he could see the big flat-bottomed 
boat pulled up on the shore. And when there 
was no response to his first summons, his heart 
fell. The river was too wide to swim the mare 
over, and he would need her as sorely on the 
other shore as he had on the Jersey side. So 
he knocked again, this time a little louder. 

Then, to his joy, there was a sound within. 
Somebody turned over upon what rustled like a 
husk mattress or bed of straw, and there followed 
a mighty yawn. 

Yah-ho!” grumbled the voice of the negro. 

Who dat at my do’ ?” for Hadley had rapped 
for a third time. 

“ Sam ! get up !” the boy whispered, shrilly. 

46 


With Washington Valley Forge • 


Sam’s feet struck the floor, then, and his un- 
timely visitor heard him fumbling his way to 
the door. “ Who dar ?” repeated the black 
man. 

‘‘ It’s me — Had Morris. I want you,” whis- 
pered the boy. 

Want me !” exclaimed the astonished Sam. 

Is dat sho’ ’nough you. Master Had ? How 
come yo’ ’way down yere fr’m de T’ree Oaks? 
Whadjer want ?” 

“ I’ve got to get across the river — quick, Sam ! 
I haven’t a minute to lose.” 

“ Why don’ yo’ go up to de ferry. Master ?” 
demanded the negro, still behind the closed 
door. 

“ I can’t go there. The Britishers are there, 
and they’re after me.” 

Is dat de trufl* !” gasped the man. He pulled 
the cabin door open a tiny crack, and all Had- 
ley could see were his glistening teeth and the 
whites of his eyes. But Sam was evidently 
assured that his visitor had given his true name, 
for in a moment he opened the portal wider and 
stepped out. 

‘‘ Lawsey, Master Had ! it is sho’ ’nough you. 
How come yo’ ter git in such er fix ?” 

47 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


“ I can^t stop to tell you that, Sam/^ Then 
he drew nearer and whispered in the old inan^s 
ear : I'm going to headquarters. I've got dis- 
patches that must reach General Washington." 

But I can't take yo' ober de riber, Master 
Had. Master Alwood nigh erbout skin me alike 
ef he cotch me helpin' yo' rebels." 

I tell you you've got to go !" exclaimed the 
boy, desperately, believing the darkey was re- 
fusing because of a natural disinclination to 
turn out at that time of night. 

^‘Oh, well. Master, ef dat's de way yo' puts 
it, I s'pose I'se b'leeged ter he'p yo'. I 
s'pose yo' is gotter pistol an' I ain't takin' no 
chances oh stoppin' a charge of buckshot." 

'Deed, and I haven't anything of the kind," 
declared Hadley, failing to penetrate the 
darkey's meaning. 

“ Sho ! yo' ain't got no weapons. Master Had ? 
Den how yo' goin' ter capture me an' make me 
he'p yo’ ober — I wants ter ax yo' dat ? I gotter 
be captured, so's I kin tell Master Alwood ef he 
cotches me gone. Oh, lawsey ! I tell you — yo’ 
is a mighty strong boy fo' yo’ age, Master Had. 
I seen you th'ow Master 'Lonzo over yo' head 
w'en you an' him was wrastlin once. Yo' just 

48 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


tell me you’ll pitch me inter de ribber an’ 
drown’d me ef I doesn’t he’p you, hey ? How’s 
dat?” 

“ That’s what I will do, if you don’t hurry !” 
exclaimed Hadley with real impatience now. 

‘‘ Good ! I’ll come right erlong, Master Had 
— I’ll come right erlong. I nebber did laik 
drown’din’.” 

Sam went down to the boat before his 
captor ” and hastily unfastened the chain. 
Then both putting their shoulders to the gun- 
wale, they shoved the craft down the sloping 
beach into the water. Sam placed a wide plank 
from the shore to the flat and Hadley led Black 
Molly across and urged her into the boat. 

Just as they were ready to shove off and the 
young courier was congratulating himself on the 
safety of his project, there came a startling inter- 
ruption. A figure ran down to the landing from 
the direction of the cabin, and, finding the boat 
already afloat, the newcomer leaped aboard be- 
fore Sam and Hadley could push away. 

‘‘ You black limb ! I’ve caught you this time. 
What are you gettin’ the boat out for at this 
time o’ night ?” demanded a wrathful voice, 
which to Hadley seemed familiar. 

49 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Black Sam, who stood beside him, and whom 
he could feel begin to shake, whispered in his 
ear : Dat ar’s Master Lon — whadjer goin’ 

to do 


50 


CHAPTER IV 


MAKING AN ENEMY SERVE THE PATRIOT CAUSE 

At any other time Hadley would not have 
been so disturbed at meeting Lon Alwood, for 
although they were not friends, he was scarcely 
afraid of the Tory youth. But now when he 
was in such haste and so much depended upon 
his getting across the river in the quickest pos- 
sible time, the unexpected appearance of young 
Alwood unnerved him. 

“ Whadjer goin’ ter do. Master Had whis- 
pered the frightened darkey. ‘‘ Sho^s yo^ bawn 
I’ll be skinned alibe fur dis.” 

Who’s that with you, Sam ?” demanded his 
young master. ‘‘You’re helping some rebel 
across the river — I know your tricks. I tell 
you when father hears of this he’ll make you 
suffer for it !” 

Sam groaned and began to stammer. “Sho — 
sho’s yo’ bawn, Moster Lonzo; I didn’t go for 
51 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


to do hit — ’deed ’n’ I didn’t ! Dish yer gen’le- 
man, he made me git de boat out — ’deed ’n’ he 
did. Said he’d th’ow me overb’d if I didn’t do 
jest’s he said.” 

‘‘ Throw you overboard !” ejaculated Lon, in 
disgust. “ You’re a mighty cute darkey, you 
are ! There aren’t many men around here who 
could throw you overboard. Now you just pole 
back to the shore — ” 

‘‘ But dis gen’leman do jest’s he say, Master 
Lon !” cried the negro, in real fear. “ He done 
th’ow you in a wrastle — yaas indeedy !” 

“Who is he?” demanded Lon, belligerently, 
coming forward. 

“ It’s Had Morris,” the young courier said, 
breaking his silence. “You needn’t come any 
nearer, Lon, to find out. But as long as you are 
aboard, you can pick up that other pole and 
help Sam.” 

“ Had Morris !” shouted the other boy in as- 
tonishment and wrath. “ Think you’re going 
to run off with our boat, hey? I’ll show 
you—” 

He made a dash* for his enemy; but Sam, 
who although so frightened still stood close by 
Hadley’s side, suddenly took something from the 
52 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


breast of his shirt and thrust it into the dispatch- 
bearer’s hand. It was a long barreled pistol, 
and the darkey, had doubtless waited until the 
last moment before offering its use to his young 
friend, because of the law of the Colonists against 
slaves carrying weapons. But the moment had 
arrived for drastic measures, and Sam trusted 
the youth. Hold on Lon !” exclaimed Had- 
ley, accepting the pistol with secret astonish- 
ment, but quick witted enough to turn its unex- 
pected possession to good advantage. I am in 
a hurry and you can’t stop me now. You’ll 
have to go along with us. Sam will need your 
help coming back, too.” 

Do you think I’m goiiig to do what you 
say. Had Morris ?” cried the other, in a tower- 
ing rage. Why, I’ll — ” 

“ Take up your pole, Sam !” commanded 
Hadley, hastily. “ The boat’s swinging down 
stream. Quick, now !” 

He had heard a door shut somewhere near 
and was quite sure that the elder Alwood was 
apprised of the noise at the riverside and was 
coming to see about it. -Hadley stepped to 
where Lon stood in frozen amazement, and, hold- 
ing the pistol at a threatening angle, patted each 
53 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


of his enemy's side pockets and the breast of his 
shirt. Lon was without arms. 

“ Lon, you pick up that other pole and set to 
work or I'll shoot you !" commanded the young 
courier, sternly. If you were in my shoes 
you'd treat me just as I'm treating you. I've 
got to get across the river and nothing you can 
do will stop me. No you don't!" Lon had 
half turned as though he contemplated leaping 
into the river. Hadley raised the pistol again 
menacingly. Pick up that pole !" he com- 
manded. 

But the captive was slow about picking up 
the pole and helping to push the heavy flatboat 
out from the bank. The figure of the elder 
Alwood loomed up suddenly above them. 

Lon 1 Lon ! Is that you out there ? What 
are you and Sam doin' with the boat ?" 

‘‘ Keep on poling and save your wind !" com- 
manded Hadley threateningly, still with the pis- 
tol at Lon's side. 

But the old gentleman's wrath rose, and be- 
lieving it was not his son aboard the boat he 
brought his old-fashioned squirrel rifle to his 
shoulder. Stop where you be !" he called, 
threateningly. I ain't goin' to let you scala- 
54 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


wags run off with ray property — not by a jug- 
ful ! Corae back here with that boat or I’ll see 
if a charge of shot’ll reach ye !” 

‘‘ Don’t shoot, dad !” yelled Lou, in deadly 
fear of the old man’s gun. “ You’ll like enough 
shoot me instead of him. I can’t help it. He’s 
got a pistol an’ — ” 

“Who is it?” cried the elder Alwood. 
“ Where’s Sam?” 

“ It’s Had Morris. He’s makin’ Sam and me 
take him across the river.” 

“ Is that his horse I see there ?” demanded 
the wrathful farmer. 

“ Yes, dad. Shoot it!” shouted Lon. 

“ Don’t you do it, Mr. Alwood,” warned the 
dispatch-bearer. “ I’ve got my pistol right 
against your son’s ribs, and when you fire your 
gun, I shall pull the trigger.” 

“ Never mind, dad !” yelled Lon. “ Don’t 
shoot the horse.” 

Hadley nearly choked over his captive’s sud- 
den change of heart and even black Sam 
chuckled as he bent his body against the pole at 
the other side of the boat. They were now well 
out from the shore and the water was deepening. 
Suddenly above the loudly expressed indignation 
55 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


of Farmer Alwood, sounded the clash of accoutre- 
ments and the ring of hoofs. A cavalcade was 
coming along the edge of the river from the di- 
rection of the regular ferry. 

“ What is to do, here, sirrah ?” demanded a 
sharp voice which Hadley knew very well. It 
was the troop of dragoons with Colonel Knowles 
at their head. They had not found their quarry 
up the river and suspecting that he had struck 
out for some other place of crossing, were scour- 
ing the bank of the stream. Alwood’s boat was 
the nearest. The farmer explained the difficulty 
he was in — his son and slave being obliged, at the 
point of a pistol, to pole the stable boy of the 
Three Oaks Inn across to the Pennsylvania side 
of the river. 

‘‘Ha! Hadley Morris, you say ? The very 
boy we’re after I” cried the colonel. “ Men ! 
give them a volley !” 

“No, no !” cried the old man. “ That’s my 
son out there and my servant. You want to 
commit murder, do ye?” 

“ This Alwood is a loyal man. Colonel,” the 
sergeant said. 

Colonel Knowles snorted in disgust. For the 
moment he was evidently sorry that the A1 woods 
56 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


were not the worst rebels in the country so that 
he could have a good excuse for firing on the 
rapidly disappearing boat. Their voices still 
floated across the water to Hadley and he heard 
the sergeant say : We’d best give it up, sir. 

There’s no way of crossing near here and the 
whole country will be aroused if we don’t get 
back to our command. There are more rebels 
than Tories in this neighborhood, sir.” 

Keep at it, boys!” Hadley commanded. 
‘‘ I’ve got my eye on you, Lon — don’t shirk. 
Hurry up there, Sam, you black rascal !” He 
could have hugged Sam in his delight at getting 
away from his enemies ; but he did not wish 
to get the old man into trouble. So he treated 
him even more harshly than he did Lon all the 
way across the wide stream. But Lon was in a 
violent rage when the big flatboat grounded on 
the Pennsylvania shore. 

You may think you’re smart. Had Morris I” 
he exclaimed, throwing down the pole as Hadley 
took Molly’s bridle to lead her ashore. “ But 
you an’ me haven’t squared accounts yet. If 
you’re running away to join Washington’s raga- 
muffins yon’d better not come back here on our 
side of the river. We’ll fix you if you do. 

57 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Anyway, the king’s army will be here like 
enough in a few days, and they’ll eat up the last 
rag, tag an’ bobtail of ye !” 

Hadley laughed, but kept a grip on the pistol 
until he got Molly ashore. He knew that, had 
he dared, young Alwood would have done some- 
thing beside threaten ; he was not a physical 
coward by any means. 

“ Don’ yo’ run away wid ol’ Sam’s pistol. 
Master Had,” whispered the negro. Dat 
pistol goin’ ter sabe ol’ Sam’s life sometime, like 
’nough.” 

‘Wou’ll get into trouble with the farmers if 
they catch you with such an ugly thing in your 
clothes,” Hadley returned, doubtfully, for like 
the other whites of the neighborhood he did not 
believe in too much liberty for the blacks, 
although the masters were struggling for their 
freedom. 

“ Master Holdness gib me dat weepon,” re- 
sponded Sam, an’ he mighty pleased wid me. 
Master Had.” 

Hadley handed back the pistol when he heard 
the scout’s name, for he knew that Holdness 
must have some good reason for wishing Black 
Sam to be armed. Lon had not seen this little 


58 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


byplay ; but lie shouted for Sam now to help 
pole the boat back across the river. 

‘‘ Be as slow as possible, Sam Hadley whis- 
pered, leaping astride his mare. ‘‘ Those chaps 
over there might take it into their heads to cross 
after all, though theyM be running their necks 
into a noose. Our people must be all about 
here.’’ 

Sam pushed the heavy landing plank aboard 
again and picked up his pole while Hadley 
rode up the steep bank and reached the high- 
way. He turned Molly’s head toward Phila- 
delphia, and then, for the first time, wondered 
how he was to find General Washington’s head- 
quarters ? News circulated but slowly at that 
time, and all the good people about the Three 
Oaks Inn knew was that the army was on the 
move — marching this way and that within a 
few miles of the capital, waiting to learn posi- 
tively in which direction Lord Howe’s fieet was 
headed. It was expected that the British would 
strike for Philadelphia ; but it was of the 
utmost importance for Washington to know at 
what point the enemy would land to march on 
the Quaker City. 

Black Molly had recovered her wind now, 
59 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


and as soon as she struck the hard road started 
at a fast pace without being urged. Hadley 
knew the general direction which he was to 
follow, for the first few miles at least ; but he 
had never been over the road before. Holdness 
had given him some idea, the week before, of 
the arrangement of the American outposts, and 
he realized that he was very liable to fall in 
with scouting parties at almost any point on 
this side of the river. Unarmed, and with the 
precious packet which had been so hardly saved 
from alien hands, there was little wonder that 
the boy should feel much trepidation as he rode 
forward. 

There were Tories on this side of the river as 
well as on the Jersey side. Probably he would 
fall in with no more dragoons ; but there were 
plenty of ill-disposed persons lurking between 
the territory held by the British about New 
York and that covered by the Americans 
around Philadelphia, who were ready to sell 
their very souls for money. If he fell into the 
hands of these bushwhackers, the dispatches 
might never reach General Washington, and if 
he fought to retain the packet his body would 
likely be found beside the road in the morning 
60 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


riddled with bullets. Hadley had shown plenty 
of pluck in escaping from the inn, and in cross- 
ing the river on the Tory’s bateau ; but one 
always fears the unknown danger more than 
the known. The possibility of falling in with 
royalist sympathizers or other ill-disposed per- 
sons on the dark woodroad along which the 
little mare bore him, caused the boy to fairly 
shake with dread. Every noise startled him. 
If Molly stepped upon a crackling branch he 
threw a startled look from side to side, fearing 
that some enemy lurked in the thickets which 
bordered the road. It would be an awful thing 
to be shot down from ambush, and it would 
scarcely matter whether he was shot by bush- 
whackers or scouts of the American army. 

By and by, however, the narrow woodroad 
opened into a broader highway. He was on 
the Germantown pike, and there were houses 
scattered along the roadside, but all were dark 
and only the baying of the watchdogs disturbed 
the silence as Molly bore him on and on, her 
tireless feet clattering over the hard packed 
road. The mist rising from the lowlands 
stretched itself in ribbons across the road as 
though to bar his progress. He drew up the 
61 


IVifh Washington at Valley Forge 

collar of his coat and bent low over Molly^s 
neck, shivering as the dampness penetrated his 
garments. It w'as early cockcrow. Suddenly 
from just before him where the mist hid the 
way came the clatter of arms. A cry rang out 
on the morning air, and Molly rose on her 
haunches and backed without her rider’s draw- 
ing rein. Hadley was nearly flung to the 
ground. 

Halt !” cried a voice, and in front of the 
startled youth appeared half a dozen figures, 
all armed with muskets and dressed in garments 
so nondescript that their affiliation whether 
with the British or American armies it w^ould 
have been hard to guess. AVho are you. 

Master ?” demanded the voice which had cried 
Halt !” Why do you ride so fast on this 
road, to-night?” 

See if he has the word. Bumbler,” advised 
a second man, and the party advanced on the 
mare and her rider. 

It’s a good horse, but she’s been ridden 
far,” declared a third. She’d sell for some- 
thing handsome in Germantown.” 

At this Hadley was quite assured that he had 
fallen into the enemy’s hands with a vengeance. 

62 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


He dared not say that lie had dispatches for 
General Washington, for he believed the men 
who had stopped him to be either royalist sym- 
pathizers or a party of stragglers seeking what 
unattached property they might obtain, being 
sure of going unscathed for their crimes because 
of the unsettled state of the country. Uniforms 
among the American troops were scarce at best. 
At this time some of the regiments were distin- 
guished merely by a cockade, or a strap on their 
coats, while their uniforms were naught but the 
homespun garments they had worn on joining 
the army. 

He’s only a boy. Corporal,” said the first 
speaker, and a lean, unshaven face was thrust 
close to Hadley’s. Get off the horse, lad. It’s 
too good for you to ride — unless you’re riding 
for the right side ?” 

This was said questioningly, and Hadley real- 
ized that he was being given an opportunity to 
answer with the countersign, but whether Brit- 
ish or American he did not know. And little 
good would it have done him had he been sure 
of the affiliation of these men. He knew the 
watchword of neither army. 

I am riding in a hurry to Germantown, 
63 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


sirs/^ lie said. I do not know the password. 
I hope you will not stop me — 

‘‘ Not stop you !’’ exclaimed the man called 
Bumbler, harshly. That’s what we’re here 
for — to stop all such masterless men as you. 
For sure, Corporal, he looks like a runaway 
’prentice.” 

The man who seemed to have informal charge 
of the others came closer now. He was portly 
and red-faced, and wore a blue and white cock- 
ade in a rather smart hat. Hadley had seen 
such a badge before and knew it to be that of 
certain of the Pennsylvania troops. Yet it 
might be assumed to still suspicion. Certainly 
these fellows did not inspire confidence. 

“ What are you doing on this road ?” de- 
manded the Corporal. ‘‘ And without the 
word ? Didn’t you expect to fall in with the 
outposts?” 

“ With what outposts ?” cried Hadley. 

“ Ours, of course — the American outposts. 
Are you one of this Tory tribe with which the 
country is overrun ?” 

At this Hadley, scarce convinced, yet grown 
desperate by the situation, flung much of his 
caution to the winds, and replied, I am as 
64 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


anxious to reach the American outposts as I can 
be. I have got to go to headquarters — ’’ 

‘‘ Whose headquarters V* 

The Commander-in-chief’s.^’ 

I believe the lad’s got dispatches, Bum- 
bler !” declared the corporal. ‘‘ Pull him off 
that horse and let us see.” 

Then indeed did Hadley Morris fear that he 
had said too much and that these men were 
what he first feared — bushwhackers. Made 
desperate by this thought, he dug his heels 
into the mare’s sides, and if two of the men had 
not seized her bridle and nigh dragged her to 
her knees, she would have broken through and 
escaped. Meanwhile the man. Bumbler, grasped 
Hadley by the collar and pulled him bodily 
from the saddle. 

‘‘ Ah ha, ye little viper !” exclaimed he. 
‘‘ Ye’ll not get away so easily.” 

Easy with the boy, man !” exclaimed the 
Corporal. “ See if he’s got any papers about 
him. This is a queer set-up altogether, for a 
lad to be riding like mad toward headquarters 
and over this road.” 

Breathless and disposed to believe the worst 
of his captors, Hadley fought with all his 
65 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


strength to retain the packet, but Bumbler 
tore open his coat and his big hand sought 
the boy^s inner pocket, where the precious 
papers lay. 


66 


CHAPTER V 


THE MAGIC OF A NAME 

Flat upon his back on the hard roadway, 
with the knee of Bumbler j)ressing upon his 
chest, Hadley Morris was little able to defend 
the dispatches which he had received from the 
injured courier in the yard of the Three Oaks 
Inn. The man tore the coat apart, felt first in 
one innner pocket and then in the other, and 
finally, with a grunt of satisfaction, brought the 
sealed packet to light. 

Dispatches, corporal, as sure as aigs is 
aigs !” he exclaimed, passing the packet up to 
the officer. 

‘‘ Huh ! We’d better go careful here. Bum- 
bler — we’d better go careful,” said the portly 
man, doubtfully. None of you know the 
boy?” 

The men, who had crowded around, all shook 
their heads. ‘‘ Like enough he’s no business 
67 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


with the papers/' Bumbler declared. He's no 
regular dispatch-bearer, an' mayhap those papers 
came from York." 

They're addressed to nobody," grumbled 
tlie corporal. 

Open 'em and see what's in 'em," suggested 
Bumbler, his sharp eyes twinkling. He was 
still on his knees and holding Hadley on the 
ground. 

There was just enough light now for the boy 
to see the faces of these men rather more dis- 
tinctly than at first. The mist grew thinner as 
the dawn advanced, and there was a faint flush 
of pink in the east above the treetoi^s. He 
could have cried with disappointment and rage. 
After coming all this way and escaping much 
harm, to be finally overpowered and the papers 
taken from him by these ill-governed hangers- 
on of the American army (for this he had 
finally made up his mind the men were) was a 
bitter pill to swallow. He plainly saw that, 
even if they were really loyal to the cause, they 
intended using the papers to their own advan- 
tage, and, after his long night's ride he would 
get nothing but hard words and a possible beat- 
ing if he did not submit meekly to having the 
68 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


dispatches carried to headquarters by other 
hands than his. 

But while he lay there on the ground think- 
ing this, his ear caught the sudden rumble of 
carriage wheels coming swiftly along the pike. 
He heard them fully half a minute before the 
men were aware of the approaching vehicle. 
“ Quick exclaimed the corporal, who had not 
yet opened the packet. Somebody comes. 
Drag the boy to one side. Bumbler, and hold 
him till we see who this may be.” 

Hadley was assisted to his feet with no gentle 
hand and the men separated, hiding in the 
brush on either side of the road. In a few mo- 
ments a heavy carriage drawn by four fine 
horses dashed into view. The carriage was, in- 
deed, a ‘^chariot,” as the private traveling coaches 
of England were called at that day, and this 
vehicle was evidently of English manufacture. 
Beside the coachman there was a footman, or 
outridei-, on a fifth horse and a darkey in livery 
sat up behind. 

The corporal shouted hoarsely to the coach- 
man, and the presentation of five muskets 
(Bumbler still hung on to Hadley) quickly 
brought the carriage to a halt. In answer to 

69 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the challenge the door of the coach opened and 
a sharp voice demanded the cause of the dis- 
turbance. 

Travelers on this road must have the pass- 
word, Master,’^ the corporal said. “ You are 
near the outposts of the army.’^ 

The man in the coach at once leaped out and 
approached the scouting party. He was rather 
a tall man, dressed in semi-military manner, for 
he wore a sword at his side and a buff coat with 
satin facings of blue. His long, beardless face 
was lean and ruddy, and his hair was rolled up 
all around the back in the fashion of the day. 
His nose was aquiline and his chin long and 
prominent — such a chin as physiognomists de- 
clare denotes determination and perseverence. 
When he removed his hat to let the cool morn- 
ing air breathe upon his uncovered head his 
brow was so high that it fairly startled the be- 
holder. Hadley, from his station beside the 
road, was vastly interested in this odd-looking 
gentleman. 

So you wish the countersign, do you, my 
man?” demanded the stranger, looking the cor- 
poral over with hauteur. ‘‘ What regiment are 
you?” 


70 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


The corporal mentioned one of the regiments 
of State troops which at that time formed a part 
of Washington’s forces. 

Then you should know me, sirrah, although 
I have not the countersign,” the gentleman said. 
‘‘ I am John Cadwalader.” 

“ Colonel Cadwalader — of the Silk Stocking 
Company ?” Hadley heard Bumbler mutter. 

The corporal looked undecided, and stam- 
mered : Faith, Mr. Cadwalader, ye may be 
whom ye say ; but it’s our orders to let no one 
pass without an investigation — ” 

Investigate, then !” snapjied the gentleman. 

If you do not know me send one of your men 
on with my carriage to your commanding offi- 
cer. I am on my way to headquarters and 
should not be delayed.” 

I can spare no men, for I’m foraging,” de- 
clared the corporal, still hesitating. 

“ What do you intend doing then, dolt ?” cried 
the officer, wrathfully. Will you keep me 
here all the morning ?” Then seeing Hadley in 
the grasp of Bumbler, he added : And you are 
keeping that boy prisoner, too, are you ? You’ll 
have your hands full, sir corporal, before you 
get back from this foraging expedition of yours. 

71 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Your commanding officer is to be congratulated 
on having such well disciplined men in his rank 
and file.” Evidently noticing the disarrange- 
ment of Hadley’s garments he added, looking at 
the boy again : “ And why do you hold this 
farmer lad prisoner, pray ?” 

At that the boy made bold to speak for him- 
self, for he believed this gentleman must really 
be somebody of importance. “ If it please you, 
sir, I was hastening to General Washington’s 
headquarters with dispatches — which, I believe, 
only yesterday came from New York — when 
these men stopped me and have taken away 
my papers — ” 

“Ha!” exclaimed the gentleman, scrutiniz- 
ing the youth sharply. “ You’re over young 
to be trusted with important news for the 
Commander-in-chief. How came you by these 
papers ?” 

In a few words Hadley told of the injury to 
the dispatch-bearer at the Three Oaks Inn, and 
how he had escaped with the papers and crossed 
the river. 

“Well done I” cried Cadwalader, evidently 
enjoying the story. “Ye did w^ell. And now 
these fellows have taken your packet, eh ?” He 
72 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


turned a frowning visage upon the corporal. 
‘‘How is this?” he demanded. 

“ We know nothing about the lad, your 
honor,” said the corporal. 

“ Return to him the papers and let him go 
on with me in the carriage. His horse looks 
fagged, and had best be left in the care of some 
loyal farmer nearby.” 

“ But how are we to know you ?” began the 
corporal, desperately. 

At this Bumbler left Hadley^s side and 
plucked at the petty officer’s sleeve. “ Don’t 
be foolish, Corporal,” he whispered, hoarsely. 
“ It’s Colonel Cadwalader, true enough. I’ve 
seen him in Philadelphia many a time.” 

At this assurance the other grudgingly gave 
up the papers to their rightful possessor again 
and Hadley turned a beaming face upon Colo- 
nel Cadwalader. 

“ You get right into the carriage, boy, and 
let my man here lead your mare. We will find 
a safe place for her ere long, and you can pick 
her up on your way home — if you return by 
this road. But a well set-up youngster like 
you should be in the army. We’ll need all 
such we can get, shortly, I make no doubt.” 

73 


1/l^ith Washington at Valley Forge 


Hadley had no fitting reply to this, but, 
urged by the gentleman, entered the coach and 
the horses started again, leaving, the chagrined 
corporal and his men standing beside the road. 
The morning was breaking now and the boy 
saw at a glance that the furnishings of the 
vehicle were much finer than any carriage 
which had stopped at the Three Oaks Inn 
within his remembrance. Even Colonel Cres- 
ton Knowleses coach was not as fine as this, and 
he felt that his apparel was neither nice enough 
nor clean enough to warrant his sitting inside 
with the owner. He would have felt much 
more comfortable on the driver’s lofty perch. 
But Colonel Cadwalader insisted upon his de- 
tailing his adventures of the night more fully 
as they rode on, and Hadley had little time to 
think of the strangeness of his position. The 
boy had never heard of John Cadwalader or 
the ‘‘ Silk Stocking Company ” of which he 
was originally the commander; but the gentle- 
man was something of a figure in Philadelphia 
society before the war broke out and was one of 
Washington’s closest and most staunch friends 
throughout the struggle for independence. 

John Cadwalader, son of Thomas Cadwalader, 

74 


PFith Washington at Valley Forge 


a prominent physician of the Quaker City, was 
thirty-three years of age when the war for 
independence began. At the time of the Lex- 
ington massacre he was in command of a volun- 
teer company in Philadelphia organized among 
the young men of the elite or ‘‘silk-stocking^’ 
class. But despite the rather sneering cogno- 
men applied to it, the authorities found the 
Silk Stocking Company well drilled and disci- 
plined, and every member of it was a welcome 
addition to the State troops. 

When the Committee of Safety was formed, 
John Cadwalader was a member — and an active 
one — until appointed colonel of one of the city 
battalions, and was later made brigadier-general 
under the State government. During the win- 
ter campaign of 1776-1777 he commanded the 
Pennsylvania troops, his first real engagement 
being the attack on Princeton in January, 1777. 
Shortly after this battle Washington wrote of 
him : “A man of ability, a good disciplinarian, 
firm in his principles, and of intrepid bra- 
very.” 

This John Cadwalader held rather a peculiar 
relation toward Washington and toward the ex- 
isting struggle. He was a man of enormous 
75 


Washington at Valley Forge 


personal fortune, whom it was very desirable to 
engage in the service of the Colonies, and he 
appears to have had more of his own way when 
in the service than any other officer on Wash- 
ington's staff. He was never really mustered 
into the regular service, for when not in the 
field in command of State troops he acted either 
as a volunteer or under specified orders for par- 
ticular work. This arrangement was of his own 
choosing, as he was twice offered a commission 
as brigadier-general and both times declined the 
appointment from Congress. 

Hadley Morris might have sought far, there- 
fore, before finding a more able friend to intro- 
duce him into the presence of the Commander- 
in-chief of the American forces. So close were 
the relations between Cadwalader and Wash- 
ington that later, after the battle of Monmouth, 
the former took up the Commander’s personal 
quarrel and fought and wounded the notorious 
Conway in a duel near Philadelphia. 

By and by the conversation between Hadley 
and his host flagged. The boy’s head fell back 
against the comfortable cushions, and he dozed 
while the carriage rolled swiftly on. They were 
stopped half a dozen times, but at no point was 
76 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


there any difficulty. There was always some- 
body who knew Colonel John Cadwalader. The 
magic of his name opened the way to the very 
presence of the Commander-in-chief into whose 
hands Hadley had been told to deliver the packet 
in his possession. The boy was finally aroused 
from his uneasy sleep when the traveling coach 
stopped before the door of a large residence be- 
yond Germantown which happened, for the 
nonce, to be the headquarters of His Ex- 
cellency. 

A troop of horse surrounded the house and 
aides were dashing up to it and away from it all 
the time, while officers were going in and out and 
talking in groups about the door. There was an 
air of excitement everywhere and when Colonel 
Cadwalader alighted fi'om his coach half a dozen 
men at once surrounded him to inquire if he had 
brought news from the East. 

I know not exactly what I bring, gentle- 
men,” said Cadwalader, laughing and laying his 
hand upon Hadley^s shoulder. But I have a 
lad here who wislies to see His Excellency. He 
has crossed the river and come a long way for 
the purpose ; what he bears, though, I cannot 
tell.” 


77 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


His Excellency is exceeding busy this morn- 
ing, Colonel,’^ said one of the officers doubtfully. 
“ Unless this be an important matter — ’’ 

John Cadwalader’s head came up and his keen 
eyes flashed. Tell him that Mr. Cadwalader 
awaits his pleasure,^’ he said briefly, and that 
he brings a lad with him whom it would be well 
for His Excellency to see.’’ 

He turned his back upon the group and waited 
with marked impatience until a servant came 
with a request from the Commander-in-chief for 
Colonel Cadwalader and his charge to come into 
the house at once. 

Follow me, lad,” the gentleman said. ‘‘ You 
have risked much and traveled far to do the 
cause a service, and you shall have fair play !” 


78 


CHAPTER VI 

A GREAT man's COUNSEL 

Officers stood about in the hall of the house, 
as they did outside, and many spoke to Colonel 
Cadwalader as he led his protege in ; hut he 
answered them briefly. Evidently his pride had 
been touched by the incident of the moment be- 
fore and he was struggling to keep his temper 
in check. He was kindness itself to Hadley 
Morris, however. 

Have no fear of your reception by General 
Washington," he whispered. ‘‘The dispatches 
you bear will be sufficient introduction." 

But Hadley was afraid. Not, perhaps, that 
he feared any unkind treatment ; but in kind 
with most youth of his bringing up and station 
in life, he looked in actual awe upon such a 
great man as the Commander-in-chief of the 
American forces. The familiarity with which 
we treat our public men of the present day would 
79 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Lave horrified society in the days of Washing- 
ton. And AVashington was peculiarly a great 
man. An aristocrat of the aristocrats, his man- 
ner and bearing although ever kindly toward 
his subordinates unless they displeased him, 
nevertheless exercised over those whom he met 
casually — people of ordinary position in life — 
a somewhat awesome influence. His court- 
liness, the highmindedness which was so j^lainly 
expressed in his features, the glance of his 
keen eye which read men so quickly and 
easily, were overpowering to the average man. 

No wonder then that Hadley Morris stood in 
the great man^s presence, having passed the sen- 
tinel at the door with Colonel Cadwalader, 
hardly able to lift his eyes to the face of the 
Commander-in-chief. He had never seen Gen- 
eral AVashington before, nor had a picture of 
the commander found its way to the Three Oaks 
Inn ; but instinctively the boy picked him out 
of all the officers in the room, and that before 
his sponsor had spoken. Washington sat at a 
little deal table which at the moment served him 
as a desk. In these days his headquarters were 
scarcely the same twenty-four hours at a time. 
AA^hen he glanced up, seeing Colonel Cadwala- 
80 



‘^COME FORWARD, LAD,” SAID GENERAL WASHINGTON 



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IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


der, he arose to greet him, coming forward a 
pace to do this with much cordiality. 

We have great need of you, Mr. Cadwala- 
der,’’ the general said, waving Hadley’s new 
friend to a seat near tlie little table. You 
come from the river ? ” 

‘‘ Aye, General. But I can give you little 
news of a satisfactory character I fear. How- 
ever, here is a young lad who bears something 
which may prove of moment.” 

Washington glanced swiftly at Hadley who 
stood, plainly ill at ease, wringing his old 
cap in his hand. The brilliant, if travel stained 
uniforms of the officers who surrounded the 
general, contrasted oddly with the patched and 
soiled garments the boy wore. He had ridden 
away from the Three Oaks Inn in his stable 
dress and he felt the incongruity of his presence 
now more keenly than before. 

“ What does the young man bring ?” asked 
Washington. 

‘‘Come forward, my lad,” Cadwalader urged. 
“ Give His Excellency your packet.” 

With trembling fingers Hadley unbuttoned 
his coat and drew forth the sealed papers. He 
knew all the time that those keen eyes were 
81 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


looking him over. They seemed to penetrate 
even the wrapper of the packet. “ Where are 
yon from, boy?’^ asked Washington. 

“ From — from the Three Oaks Inn,’’ stam- 
mered Hadley. In his own ears the voice 
sounded from a long way off. 

“ And who gave them to you ?” was the next 
query. 

Hadley stammered worse than ever in trying 
to tell this, and John Cadwalader took pity 
upon him. ‘‘So many strangers confuse the 
lad, General. But he’s by no means a young- 
ster without resources. From his story I reckon 
liim a youth of action rather than of words,” 
the Colonel said, smiling. 

“ Egad !” exclaimed one of the amused offi- 
cers, under his breath, “ it’s boys like him we 
want, then.” 

Rapidly Cadwalader related the story of the 
injury to the dispatch-bearer at the Three Oaks 
Inn, of Hadley’s escape from the dragoons with 
the papers, and of his adventures on the road — 
just as the boy had told it to him in the car- 
riage. Meanwhile General Washington had 
slit the wrapper of the packet and unfolded the 
papers it contained. He nodded now and then 
82 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


as Cadwalader’s story progressed, but at the 
same time he glanced hastily over the papers. 

“ Ha ! the boy has done us a service, indeed,’’ 
the Commander said at length. ‘‘ These mat- 
ters are most important. The papers come 
direct from New York, gentlemen, and we have 
here at last a sure outline, I believe, of His 
Lordship Howe’s intentions. It is well, my 
lad,” he said, glancing again at Hadley, “that 
you let not the packet fall into the hands of 
the enemy. Our work would have been put 
back some days — perhaps crippled. I must 
see more of you. You seem heartily in sym- 
pathy with our country’s cause. Why have you 
not enlisted?” 

“ Egad, General !” exclaimed the same sub- 
ordinate, who had before spoken, “ I’ll set him 
to drilling myself, if he’ll enlist. He’s a man’s 
stature, now, if not a man’s age.” 

The boy flushed and paled by turns as he 
listened to this. “ Come, speak up. Master 
Morris !” exclaimed Cadwalader, encourag- 
ingly. 

“ I — I cannot enlist, if it please Your Honors,” 
the boy said. “ My uncle will not let me.” 

“And who is this precious uncle of yours 
83 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


who’d kee^^ a well set-up lad like you out of the 
army demanded the second officer. 

‘‘ Ephraim Morris is his name, sir. We live 
hard by the Three Oaks, across the river. I 
work for Jonas Benson, who keeps the inn.’’ 

We have record of this Ephraim Morris,” 
said a dark-faced man in the corner, looking 
from under lowering brows at the boy. As 
rank a Tory as there is in all Jersey. I’d not 
put too much trust in what the boy brings, gen- 
tlemen, if he’s Miser Morris’s nephew.” 

The words stung Hadley to the quick. Un- 
consciously he squared his shoulders and his 
eyes flashed as he looked in the direction of the 
last speaker. My uncle refuses me permission 
to join the army, it is true,” he said, chokingly, 
“ but he has no power to change my opinions.” 

“ Well said,” cried the first man to urge his 
enlistment. “ Nor has he any real power to 
keep you out of the army. You’re big enough 
to be your own master. Come, let me send you 
out to my drill sergeant. He’ll make a soldier 
of you in no time.” 

Hadley hesitated, and again his face crim- 
soned. ‘‘ There is another reason why I cannot 
do this,” he muttered. 


84 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


‘‘Reason piled upon reason/^ growled the man 
in the corner. “ I like not these fellows who 
reason ; ^tis a lawyer’s trick.” 

Some of the listeners laughed, but to Hadley 
the matter was serious, and he continued : “ My 
uncle is an old man, and lives alone. I do not 
wish — I cannot go far from him, because he 
might need me at any time. And then, I 
promised I would not leave him unless he made 
me.” 

“ Promised ! Whom did you promise ?” 
queried Colonel Cadwalader, who, with His 
Excellency, had listened to the discussion in 
silence. 

“ My mother, sir.” 

“ Egad ! Another relative for an excuse, 
eh ?” said the young officer, who seemed to so 
desire Hadley’s services, and he laughed rather 
disgustedly. “ And cannot the good lady be 
encouraged to let her son away from her skirt- 
tails?” 

Hadley’s eyes flashed no little wrath as he 
turned upon the speaker. Awkward as he had 
felt himself to be on first entering the room, and 
awed as he was by the presence of so many 
strangers, he forgot all this now. “ My mother 
85 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


is dead, sir ! I respect her memory and her 
wishes. I would have you respect her also, 
sir.’^ 

For an instant there was silence. Washing- 
ton flashed a glance at Colonel Cadwalader and 
the latter spoke : No more of this baiting, gen- 
tlemen. Let the lad alone.’’ 

The dark man in the corner growled some- 
thing inaudible, but the other, who was a fresh- 
faced man, and young himself, came forward to 
Hadley’s side, quickly. ^Wour pardon, Master 
Morris,” he said in a low voice. “ I meant no 
harm with my raillery.” 

And at this Hadley was still more covered 
with confusion, for he feared he had said too 
much. But his sponsor beckoned him forward 
and -motioned him to stand by the table at 
which the Commander-in-chief was now writ- 

ing- 

‘^Master Morris,” Washington said, “you 
seem to have good reasons for not enlisting. 
But I believe you are in sympathy with us and 
heed your country’s peril. You live in a com- 
munity wliere you may be of great benefit to us 
in the future. You have mentioned a man 
named Holdness. You know him well ?” 


86 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 

“Yes, sir.” 

“ Then deliver this note to him when next he 
passes the Three Oaks Inn. He will return 
on the morrow or next day, I hear. Meanwhile 
be always ready to serve the cause, as you did 
last night, and despite your uncle’s prohibition 
against your joining the army, we shall count 
you among our most useful servants. A boy 
who respects the wishes of his mother — whether 
she be with him or whether she be in her grave 
— can, I think, be trusted. What say you, Mr. 
Cadwalader ?” 

The Colonel bowed. “ My mind, exactly. 
General,” he said. 

“ This will pass you through the outposts,” 
the commander said, handing the two papers 
he had written to Hadley. “ The Colonel tells 
me you have a horse not many miles from here. 
I wish you a safe return.” 

Too disturbed to scarce know what he replied, 
Hadley got out of the room, and not until he 
reached the open highway did he take a free 
breath. And all the way back to the farm- 
house, where Molly had been left, he grew hot 
and cold by turns, as he thought of the awk- 
ward figure he must have cut in the presence 
87 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


of the leader of the American cause. It was 
mid-afternoon ere he recovered his horse and 
started for the river. Molly had been refreshed 
and carried him swiftly over the road to the 
regular ferry, where he had been unable to 
cross the night before. He met with no diffi- 
culty in passing the outposts and such scouting 
parties of the American army as he met. There 
was no sign of the British soldiery upon this 
side of the river. He crossed the ferry at dark, 
and three hours later rode quietly into the inn 
yard from the rear and put Black Molly into 
her stall. Then he approached the house, won- 
dering what reception he should meet if Colo- 
nel Knowles and his daughter were still shel- 
tered there. 


CHAPTER VII 


A FKIEND ON THE ENEMY’s SIDE 

The collie rattled his chain at the corner of 
the sheep pen, and from a low growl changed 
his welcome to a bark of delight and frisked 
about Hadley’s legs as the boy stopped to pat 
him. The house door across the paved yard 
opened and the innkeeper’s voice cried : Be 
still, Bose ! Who’s out there ?” 

Hadley went nearer and laughed. What’s 
the matter. Master Benson ?” he asked. Are 
the dragoons still about the place ?” 

At once the innkeeper plunged down the 
steps, and reaching the boy seized him tightly in 
his arms. ‘‘ Had ! Had !” he cried. Why did 
you come back to the Three Oaks ? We thought 
you’d join the army for sure this time.” 

To leave you without a stableboy ?” laughed 
Hadley. And how about uncle — what would 
he say ?” 


89 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


“ Humph ! Miser Morris sent over to see 
where you were, this very day. He heard 
something of your brush with the redcoats, 
and I reckon he’s not pleased. Ye’d best keep 
away from him for a day or two, till he cools 
down.” Then he added, drawing the boy 
toward the kitchen door : “ Colonel Knowles 
pretty near froths at the mouth every time he 
hears your name mentioned. Lafe told us how 
neatly you and Molly slipped the redcoats.” 

‘‘ Is the Colonel still here ?” asked Hadley, 
in haste, drawing back from the inn. 

‘‘Yes, he’s here,” grunted Jonas. “ I wish 
he’d finish his business, whatever it is, and be 
gone. The Three Oaks don’t have many guests, 
these times, it’s true, and he pays in good Eng- 
lish gold ; but his room would be more welcome 
than his company.” 

“ I did not see his horses in the stable, when 
I put Black Molly in her stall, just now,” said 
Hadley. 

“ And did you bring her back with you ?” 
cried the delighted Jonas. “ Well, well ! I 
thought sure some o’ them Tories or ne’er-do- 
wells on the other side of the river would get her. 
Colonel Knowles’s horses are stabled in the little 


90 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


shed hard by. He is afraid they’re not safe in 
the barn^ and his man, that close-mouthed 
William, sleeps with the critters. ’Twouldn’t 
surprise me a bit, Had, if something happened 
to the Colonel, as well as to his horses, if he acts 
’round here as he did the other day. Some of 
the neighbors are mighty mad over his trying 
to shoot the dispatcli- carrier. The poor man 
was terribly hurt.” 

“ Is he here ?” asked the boy. 

No. Lafe took him in his waggin’ over to 
neighbor Chimes’ house. Mistress Chimes is a 
famous hand in sickness, and, to tell you the 
truth. Had,” and Jonas sunk his voice to a 
whisper for they were near the door, “ my 
woman isn’t so earnest in the cause as we might 
wish. She was lady’s maid, or some’at like 
that, in the old country, an’ having this Colonel 
and his daughter here isn’t doing her a bit of 
good. I don’t dispute but her heart’s with the 
Britishers.” 

She’ll tell the Colonel that I’m here then,” 
Hadley said, stoj^ping at the foot of the steps. 

‘‘.Well, he can’t do anything to ye. The 
dragoons are no longer at the Mills. Malcolm’s 
troop started for York this morning. There’s 

91 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


something going to happen ’fore long, for the 
British are stirring and they say Lord Howe has 
sailed with his fleet.” 

I know,” said the boy, with some pride. 
‘‘ There’s going to be a big battle, or something. 
Those papers I ran away with told all about 
Lord Howe’s plans and now our generals will 
be able to meet him.” 

Who told you ?” Jonas asked, open mouthed 
in astonishment. 

“ I heard General Washington himself say 
so,” declared the boy, and then, having entered 
the wide inn kitchen, and finding it empty (for 
the maids had gone to bed) he had to sit down 
and relate the particulars of his ride to German- 
town and his brief interview with the Com- 
mander-in-Chief of the American forces. 

I’ve heard of that Colonel Cadwalader,” 
Jonas said, drawing a long breath, “ and you 
were sartainly lucky to make such a powerful 
friend, Hadley. Why didn’t you join the 
army? You’d make a good soldier, and per- 
haps get to be a captain, or something. Men 
rise quick from the ranks nowadays.” 

You know very well why I cannot enlist,” 
Hadley replied, gravely. If Uncle Ephraim 
92 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


should tell me I could go I might feel as though 
I would not be breaking my word by enlisting. 
But unless he says so, I don’t see how I can do 
it, much as I would like to.” 

The innkeeper shook his head. Ah, boy, 
there’s plenty of time yet for you, it’s likely. The 
struggle is bound to be a long one. The king 
is sending over more troops, they say, and 
there’s a big force marching from Canada. 
We’ll never give up till we’re free; but most of 
us ma}^ be dead before freedom comes.” 

“You talk faintheartedly. Master Benson,” 
Hadley said. “You should have seen all the 
fine officers and the troop of horse I saw at Ger- 
mantown. I don’t believe the king has finer 
soldiers.” 

“ But he’s got better fed and better paid ones,” 
declared the man. “ A soldier can’t really fight 
well, not even when he is heartily for the cause, 
if his wife and bairns are starving at home — and 
mayhap he himself in need of a square meal. 
Ah, boy, the colonies are at a bad pass. If 
France would only come out frankly and say 
she wuas with us, heart and soul, we’d have a 
chance. Individual Frenchmen show their in- 
terest by coming here and joining our army ; 

93 


IVitli Washington at Valley Forge 

but it is the backing of the French government 
that we need/’ 

The innkeeper spoke hopelessly as many 
another patriot American was speaking in those 
days. The war had lagged for months and 
months, and the issue seemed no nearer solving 
than when the minute men of Lexington were 
shot down like dogs at the bridge and on the 
town common.. The American forces had won 
some hard-fought battles ; but each victory had 
seemed a reverse, for either lack of men or lack 
of commissary stores, or of ammunition, forced 
the army to retire instead of following up the 
advantage gained. 

Mistress Benson came in after a time and her 
delight at seeing Hadley safe and sound again 
was sincere although as Jonas had admitted to 
the boy’s private ear, she was none too sympa- 
thetic with the patriot cause. She set before 
Hadley a bountiful repast and made him eat his 
fill. Then he retired to his usual couch in the 
loft of the great barn and slept undisturbed un- 
til morning. 

He was currying Black Molly in the, open 
door of the stable before breakfast when Colonel 
Knowles chanced to stroll into the inn yard. 

94 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 

The Englisliinaii stopped and stared at the 
stable boy with lowering brow. Hadley kept at 
work, whistling cheerfully, a little amused at 
the Colonel’s evident surprise, and not at all sure 
what the outcome of the meeting might be. 

Well, young man !” exclaimed the guest. 
‘‘ You certainly are a youth of mettle to dare 
come back here after what occurred the other 
day. Do you not know who I am ?” 

You are a guest of Master Benson’s sir,” 
Hadley said, quietly. 

I am an officer in His Majesty’s army, sir.” 

But you are in the enemy’s country just 
now, Colonel Knowles,” the boy said, softly. 
‘‘ The dragoons are no longer within call, and 
although there are some Tories in the neighbor- 
hood, there are more men who hold to the cause 
of the Colonies. I think I am safer to come 
back here than you are to remain.” 

The Colonel’s face flushed deeply. “ Let me 
tell you, sirrah, that a parcel of hot-headed 
farmers cannot scare me. I shall remain in tliis 
vicinity as long as I please and dare Mr. Wash- 
ington’s ragamuffins to come and take me.” 

“ I think the neighbors feel some opposition 
to your remaining here because of what you did 
95 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the other day, sir,” Hadley declared, respect- 
fully. “ If you are not troubled yourself, you 
should be willing to let us alone. Nobody is 
interfering with your business ; but if you shoot 
at dispatch-bearers and try to capture their 
papers, the farmers will certainly be aroused 
against you.” 

Humph !” grunted the Colonel ; but the 
words evidently impressed him. After a 
moment of sullen silence he said : They tell 
me your name is Morris ; is that so ?” 

“ It is, sir.” 

Do you know a person named Ephraim 
Morris living in this part of the country ?” 

That is my uncle’s name,” declared the boy, 
and his interest grew, for he remembered his 
conversation two days before with Mistress 
Lillian. 

‘‘How old a man is he?” demanded Colonel 
Knowles, with some eagerness. 

“ Rising sixty, sir. He is a farmer and lives 
not more than four miles from here.” 

“ Well,” said the Englishman, turning finally 
on his heel, “ you’re a worthy nephew of such 
an uncle, I don’t doubt.” 

“ I’m afraid Uncle Ephraim would not agree 

96 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


with you/’ Hadley called after the gentleman. 
" He is a Tory.” 

But Colonel Knowles paid no further attention 
to him, and the boy went on with his work. 
But his mind ran continually on the interest the 
Colonel and his daughter evidently had in old 
Ephraim Morris. Mistress Lillian herself ap- 
peared after breakfast, while Hadley was clear- 
ing up the entrance to the inn yard. Jonas 
Benson prided himself on having everything 
about the inn as neatly kept as did his wife in- 
side the house. 

Hadley Morris !” the Colonel’s daughter ex- 
claimed, leaning over the railing of the porch 
and looking at the youth with sparkling eyes. 

Has my father seen you ? Mistress Benson 
told me you had come back and that she was 
afraid father would be angry when he saw you. 
Aren’t you afraid ?” 

‘H’ve seen the Colonel,” Hadley replied, smil- 
ing up at her. He remembered the anxiety in 
her countenance when he had last seen her look- 
ing from the window as he ran with the dis- 
patches to escape the dragoons, and he was not 
so much afraid of her as he had been earlier in 
their acquaintance. “ He wasn’t very pleasant, 
97 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


but the dragoons aren’t in the neighborhood now, 
and I guess he won’t try to do anything to me. 
You see, ma’am, most of the farmers are on my 
side.” 

‘‘You are a terrible rebel!” declared the 
girl, but she still smiled down upon him. 
“ Did you carry those dispatches ’way to — to 
that Mr. Washington whom you people call 
‘General’?” 

“ I went all the way with them and saw Gen- 
eral Washington himself,” declared the boy, 
proudly. “ He is a mighty fine gentleman and 
the place wliere he stops was full of officers. All 
the American army are not ragamuffins,” and 
his eyes twinkled as he thus reminded her of her 
criticism of the patriot soldiery on a previous 
occasion. “ Some of the colonists know how to 
fight as well as hired soldiers.” 

“ And some of them know how to run,” Lillian 
cried. 

“ True. Would you have had me stand here 
and face that whole mob of dragoons — to say 
nothing of your father?” 

“Oh, I didn’t mean you. I think you were 
very smart to get away on that horse with the 
dispatches. And I’ll tell you what father said 

98 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


about it,’’ she added, lowering her voice and 
glancing about her. He said that ‘ if the 
rebel youth can fight so well and are such 
strategists, it is no wonder that my Lord Howe 
and the other generals have so little luck in 
bringing the uprising to a swift close.’ Now, 
aren’t you proud ?” 

Hadley Hushed as she spoke. “ I thought he 
was very angry with me this morning.” 

Well, I think he is angry enough ; but he 
seemed to admire your ability to beat the dra- 
goons and get across the river as you did. I 
heard him and the ofiicer in command of the 
troopers talking about it and they both wondered 
how you escaped them on the road to the ferry. 
Father said he had almost caught you — he could 
tell by the sound of your horse’s feet — when the 
sound suddenly stopped and you disappeared as 
though the earth had opened and swallowed 
you. How did you do it?” 

‘‘ You are an enemy,” the boy returned, with 
amusement. “I couldn’t tell you that, you know. 
Anything else — ” 

‘‘ Tell me what sort of a man that uncle of 
yours, Ephraim Morris, is?” she broke in, sud- 
denly. “ I spoke to father about him, and he 
99 


LofC. 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


said he must be the man he has come here to 
see/’ 

‘‘Uncle Ephraim is an old mam He came 
here from England years ago. I don’t know 
much about it, only I know that after my father 
died mother and I came over here to live with 
him, because he sent for us. He — he is very 
close with money, and did not treat my mother 
very liberally.” 

“ And he makes you work, too ?” 

“ Well, I’m old enough to work,” Hadley 
said, laughing again. “ I don’t know any boys 
around here who don’t work.” 

“ Is your uncle poor ?” 

“ I don’t think so. But he lives very poorly. 
I’d much rather live here at the inn than work 
on the farm. He never fed us very well.” 

“ Then he’s a miser,” said Lillian. 

“That’s what the neighbors call him. He 
isn’t liked very well. He’s a king’s man, you 
know — a Tory.” 

“ Oh ! that’s something in his favor,” she de- 
clared. 

“ So I thought you’d say,” he replied, shoul- 
dering his rake and broom and preparing 
to return to the stableyard. “ I didn’t want 
100 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


you to have too bad an opinion of Uncle 
Ephraim/' 

‘‘ If he is the person my father is looking for, 
I have a very bad opinion of him, indeed, and 
his being for the king will make little difference 
one way or another." 

Her words disturbed Hadley when he thought 
them over. They seemed to convey a threat 
against Uncle Ephraim, and the boy wondered 
what was the foundation of the dislike the Colo- 
nel's daughter plainly showed for the Ephraim 
Morris whom her father had come into Jersey 
to find ? The more he thought of this mystery 
the more troubled he became, and in the after- 
noon he asked leave of Jonas to spend the 
night at his uncle's farm, setting out for his 
destination before supper time. He rather 
shrank from his expected interview with Miser 
Morris just then, for he knew the old man 
would be very much vexed with him for riding 
to the headquarters of the American army with 
the dispatches intrusted to him by the wounded 
courier. He braved Uncle Ephraim's displeas- 
ure, however, because of his curiosity regarding 
the connection between his uncle and Colonel 
Creston Knowles. Hadley was not at all sure 
101 


IVifh Washington at Valley Forge 


in liis own mind what manner of person this 
English officer was. Mistress Lillian was a 
beautiful girl, and seemed kindly disposed 
toward him jDersonally; but she was quite bitter 
against his uncle, and Hadley felt that he should 
warn him of the ColoneFs contemplated visit. 

The Morris pastures were nearest the Three 
Oaks Inn, and crossing the road where he had 
so fortunately escaped the dragoons by the aid 
of Lafe Holdness, Hadley struck into the open 
plain on which his uncle’s cattle grazed. Ephraim 
Morris owned more than fifty head of cattle, 
and was not above selling his steers to the 
Americans, if he could get his price for them. 
His heart might be with the king’s cause, but 
he never allowed his heart to interfere with 
money getting. The big pasture was dotted 
with clumps of trees, and while yet Hadley 
was some distance from the farm-house and its 
neighboring buildings, he saw a band of young 
stock stampeding wildly from the vicinity of a 
grove of dwarfed oaks not far away. The cat- 
tle, heads down and tails in the air, plunged 
across the plain at a mad pace, and Hadley was 
positive that they were not running without 
cause. The drove passed him like a whirlwind, 
102 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


and in their wake came a loudly yelping cur 
and a person whom he very well knew, urging 
the dog on. 

‘‘Hold on there ! What are you about?’’ 
cried Hadley, running forward. “ What are 
you chasing the cattle for ? That brute of yours 
will kill some of the stock.” 

It was Lon Alwood, and it was quite evident 
by Lon’s expression of countenance that Had- 
ley was the last person he had expected to meet 
just then. “ Wh — why, I thought you had gone 
to join the army !” he gasped. 

“ I’m right here to tell you to stop chasing 
my uncle’s cattle,” returned Hadley, in dis- 
gust. 

“ Oh, you are, hey ?” cried the other boy, with 
bravado. Then to the cur who had halted like 
his master at the appearance of Hadley : “ Sic 
’em, boy — sic ’em !” 

Hadley grabbed. a clod, and as the dog started 
after the fleeing steers he hurled the lump of 
earth with considerable force and it bounded 
resoundingly from the canine’s ribs. The brute 
gave a yelp and took refuge behind its master, 
its interest for the moment lost in the inoffensive 
cattle. There it crouched and growled at Had- 

103 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


ley while Lon fairly danced up and down in his 
rage. “ What you need, Had Morris, is a sound 
thrashing and I’m going to give it to you right 
now !” declared the young Tory. “ I didn’t 
think you’d dare come back into this neighbor- 
hood after what you did the other night. If 
my father catches you about our boat again, or 
fooling with Black Sam, he’ll tan your hide well 
for you,” 

Well, I sha’n’t give him the chance,” Had- 
ley returned, pleasantly. “ I don’t want to 
meet him. But don’t you be foolish enough to 
think that you can take his place and do his 
work for him.” 

What do you mean ? Think I’m afraid of 
you, hey ?” 

I wouldn’t try any thrashing, if I were you, 
Lon. You know you tried it once a long time 
ago, and I haven’t forgotten how to wrastle since 
then.” 

That, was a long time ago — and you had a 
lot o’ your friends with you,” growled Alonzo, 
pausing, however, when he was reminded of the 
occasion. 

Well, they were your friends, too,” laughed 
Hadley. ‘‘ Now you go on and let uncle’s cattle 

104 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


alone. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, 
chasing the harmless creatures. That dog of 
yours should be tied up. Somebody’ll shoot 
him if you’re not careful.” 

Hadley tried to pass on as he spoke, but young 
Alvvood sprang before him and barred his way. 
“ You’re going to get thrashed right here and 
now. Had Morris !” declared he, resentfully. 
You haven’t got any gun or pistol to help you 
out, and I’m not afraid of you. So look out for 
yourself!’' 

Hadley saw no way of avoiding the struggle 
unless he took to his heels, and he could not 
bring himself to do that. So he met his an- 
tagonist’s charge to the best of his ability and 
in a moment they were locked together in a 
close, but far from loving embrace, while the 
dog ran around and around them, barking ap- 
proval of its master’s conduct. 


105 


CHAPTEK VIII 


UNCLE EPHRAIM DISPLAYS GREAT INTEREST 

A KEEN remembrance of what had occurred 
at the ferry two nights before, and how Hadley 
Morris forced him to assist in poling the bateau 
across the river and aiding in his escape from 
the dragoons, spurred Lon to this act of violence. 
On the school playground the two boys had 
been rivals, but whereas their previous encount- 
ers were partly trials of skill, this struggle was 
in deadly earnest. Both being almost men in 
strength and stature, Hadley and young Alwood 
might have injured each other very seriously. 
A knowledge of how to protect one’s self with 
the weapons Nature has provided one is a very 
good thing ; but when that knowledge is used 
offensively instead of in defense, its misuse can- 
not be excused. 

Lon made his attack in no spirit of fairness, 
and this was shown very quickly. The boys 
106 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


had scarcely gripped each other when Lon rea- 
lized that he was now no better able to cope 
with his rival in a wrestling bout than he was at 
their last encounter, months previous. The 
stable boy of the Three Oaks Inn was in the best 
of training every day of his active life. Lon 
was lazy and had to be fairly driven to work by 
his father. He had much rather roam the 
woods with a gun and dog, or go fishing, than 
do those tasks which fell to the share of the 
other lads of the neighborhood, and leaping and 
running, and frolicing with his friends in their 
off hours, had not hardened his muscles as Had- 
ley’s toil hardened his. 

The latter obtained a good hold on his enemy, 
and, with a sudden squeeze, almost drove the 
breath out of Lon’s lungs. The Tory youth 
gasped as he felt this example of his antagonist’s 
strength. Oh ! oh !” he groaned. And then, 
kicking frantically and endeavoring to beat his 
antagonist in the face with his fists, cried aloud 
to the excited dog : Sic ’im, sir ! Go at ’iin !” 

The mongrel, as cruel as its master, plunged 
into the fray and grabbed at Hadley’s leg. 
Fortunately the stable boy wore high riding 
boots, and instead of seizing the calf of his leg, 
107 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the brute sunk its teeth into the leather. The 
attack, however, brought Hadley to the ground, 
with the dog chewing at the bootleg and snarl- 
ing, and Lon Alwood on top. But the under 
boy still hugged his human antagonist tightly 
to him and for the moment his brute enemy did 
little harm. 

All the time Lon was encouraging the dog 
in his attack, but Hadley would not strike him. 

Call off* the beast and fight fair, Alwood,’’ he 
said. ‘‘ Call him off and try it over. This is 
no fair game.” 

Lon’s only answer was a more desperate at- 
tempt to get his arms free and so strike his 
enemy with more precision. But the unequal 
contest was exhausting Hadley’s strength, and 
he knew he could not keep his advantage for 
long. So, putting forth all his remaining 
energy, he suddenly rolled Lon over and came 
uppermost himself. The dog yelped loudly 
and let go the boot, for Hadley had managed to 
give him a well-placed kick at the same 
moment, and while the brute was recoveiing 
from this the boy broke away from Lon and 
sprang to his feet. 

Tlie dog, seeing its master on the ground, 
108 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


growled savagely and leaped for Hadley again, 
this time for his throat. But the boy was ready 
for the attack, and the toe of his riding boot 
caught the animal under the jaw and sent it 
backward with terrific force. Lon had secured 
his footing, too, and seeing his canine friend so 
badly treated, came at Hadley with redoubled 
fury. The latter caught him at arms^ length, 
and before Lon could secure any hold, threw 
him forcibly to the ground. 

The dog happened to be in the way and his 
master fell flat upon him, and with sufficient 
force to break the animahs spine. The dog’s 
almost human cry of agony shocked Hadley, 
and his anger was gone in an instant. Oh, 
the poor creature !” he cried, and as Lon got 
up, bleeding at the nose and much bruised, 
Hadley knelt down beside the beast to see how 
badly it was hurt. But with a few spasmodic 
jerks of its limbs, the dog lay still ; its master’s 
fall had killed it. 

Alwood, however, little interested in the 
death of the faithful creature, was searching 
about the pasture, and suddenly finding a 
smooth cobble, hurled it with all his might at 
the kneeling boy. Fortunately Hadley turned 

109 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


in time to see his action and dodged the stone. 
He leaped up and Lon turned tail and ran to 
escape merited punishment for this cowardly 
act. ‘‘That fellow hasn’t a spark of honor,” 
thought the victor of this rather sanguinary 
encounter. “ He can’t fight fair. I’m sorry I 
killed his dog; but I don’t believe Lon thought 
of the poor brute, at all. He was just mad at 
me and cared nothing about it. I’ll have to 
watch out for Lon Alwood, for he’ll seek to 
injure me, without giving fair warning, I 
know.” 

His encounter with the Tory youth had de- 
tained him until now it was growing dusk along 
the edges of the wood which bordered the pas- 
ture. He hurried on, and soon arrived at the 
outbuildings and barns belonging to his uncle. 
The cattle had come up to the cowyard and the 
cows were being milked by the hired hands, 
while Ephraim overlooked the feeding. If the 
old gentleman deprived himself of everything 
but the bare necessities of life, he was careful 
that his stock was well fed. 

The men were mostly lads from neighboring 
farms, who went home at night, working for 
their monthly wage for Master Morris, because 
110 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


there was not enough to do to keep them busy 
at home. They cordially greeted the miser's 
nephew, for though they were all from Tory 
families, Hadley was popular with them. 
Ephraim Morris, however, had but a cold wel- 
c )me for the stable boy. 

Hadley took hold, as he had always been 
used to doing, and assisted in finishing the 
chores. AVhen the men said good-night and 
started homeward, he followed Ephraim Morris 
into the farm-house kitchen and waited for the 
storm to break. His uncle was a weazened little 
man, who dressed shabbily and walked with 
his head thrust forward as though he liad sat 
at a desk the greater part of his life. But he 
had been a farmer ever since Hadley could re- 
member ; what his occupation was before he 
emigrated to the American Colonies, the boy 
did not know. Neither Mr. Morris, nor his own 
mother, had seemed fond of talking about their 
life in England, and Hadley was too young 
when he crossed the ocean to remember any- 
thing previous to that marked experience. 

A meal at Uncle Ephraim's was nothing to 
look forward to with pleasure. The old man 
ate because it was necessary, and he did it 
111 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


grudgingly. His supper was always inusli and 
milk, and lie never increased the quantity he 
allowed himself because of a visitor. He sim- 
ply divided the amount between his nephew 
and himself, and swallowed his own share in 
silence. 

‘‘ Well,’’ he said, in an unpleasant voice, as 
he scraped out the bowl with his pewter spoon, 
what have you got to say for yourself, Had- 
ley?" 

About what, uncle ?” demanded the boy. 
“Oh, I’ve heard all about it. I let you work 
for that innkeeper, and this is what it comes to, 
hey? I thought so — I thought so! Hanging 
around a jdace like that would spoil anybody’s 
morals. I’m surprised at you, Hadley — and 
your mother was a good woman.” 

Hadley’s face flamed at that, and his eyes 
sparkled. “ I don’t see that I have done any- 
thing wrong. Uncle Ephraim. Mother, I be- 
lieve, would not say I was bad. I don’t believe 
as you do about this war — ” 

“ War I war !” exclaimed the old man. “ Don’t 
dignify the actions of that Washington and his 
followers by calling it ‘ war.’ It is a rebellion 
against the King of England, and the men en- 
112 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


teriiig into it will be deservedly punished. It 
can end in only one way, young man — in only 
one way. And for you, who were born a British 
subject on English soil yourself, to help these 
rascals and adventurers along — ’’ 

‘‘But I believe they are right, uncle, just as 
you believe the king and tlie king^s men are 
right.’^ 

“ Ha ! What right has a boy of your age to 
have beliefs?’’ demanded the old man. “Boys 
were not so forward in my day, I’d have you 
know. It’s the result of living in this country. 
The very air one breathes is tainted with the 
spirit of rebellion. These fools think they have 
a right to be free of all restraint. They have no 
proper regard for law and the rights of rulers.” 

“ They do not regard the right of a ruler 
across the sea to govern them here,” Hadley ad- 
mitted. “ And I believe as they do, too. Why 
should the Colonists be made to pay taxes to the 
Crown when they are not represented among the 
king’s advisers? Many of the strongest ad- 
herents of these people whom you call rebels, 
would never have espoused the cause had the 
king been willing to allow the Colonies repre- 
sentation in matters of state.” 


113 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


“ Pah ! pall !” exclaimed the old man, 
savagely. “ What does a boy like you know of 
such matters? You have hung about that 
Jonas Benson, and his inn, which is a hotbed 
of rebellion, so long that you talk like a lawyer. 
It is ruining you and I won’t have a nephew of 
mine — ” 

But Master Benson pays you my wages 
regularly, doesn’t he?” demanded Hadley be- 
fore the old mail could say anything rash. 

‘‘Hem — well, I can’t say but he does,” 
admitted Uncle Ephraim, and subsided for a 
moment. Soon, however, he started on a new 
tack. “Who is this English officer who is a 
guest at the inn, nephew?” he asked. “It is 
said he is a great man from York way. And 
to think that you should oppose a gentleman 
and an officer of His Majesty’s army !” 

“ I don’t know how great a man he is,” Had- 
ley returned. “ He calls himself Colonel Cres- 
ton Knowles — ” 

The old man started and leaned forward 
so that his wrinkled face came within the can- 
dle-light. Wonder, and an expression which 
seemed like fear, slowly grew upon his 
countenance. “Who did you say he was?” he 

114 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


demanded, liis lean fingers clutching the edge 
of the table. 

“ Colonel Creston Knowles, Uncle. His 
daughter. Mistress Lillian, is with him. They 
have come into Jersey to find a family by our 
name, I understand. Both of them have asked 
me about you, sir.’’ While he said this Hadley 
scrutinized Uncle Ephraim, closely. The old 
man was much disturbed, for he sat silent for 
several minutes and his face showed plainly that 
he was the man Colonel Knowles was so anxious 
to see. ‘‘Who is Colonel Knowles?” the boy 
asked, at length. “ What does he want to see 
you for ? Is he — is he related to us in any 
way ?” 

“ No, no !” snarled the miser. “ He’s noth- 
ing to either you or me. I — I don’t know 
him — I don’t know him, I tell you. Now 
go to bed and don’t disturb me with your ques- 
tions.” 

Hadley cleared up the untidy kitchen as best 
he could, and then lit a tallow dip at the single 
candle on the table, and obeyed his uncle’s be- 
hest by mounting the stairs to the loft over the 
room. He went to bed at once, for he was tired 
enough, but he could not sleep for thinking of 
115 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


his uncle’s strange manner and words. There 
was some mysterious connection between Colonel 
Knowles and the Morrises ; but Uncle Ephraim 
did not intend to admit it. 

Hadley fell into a doze at last, but only for a 
short time. The squeak of a door below aroused 
him and, after listening a moment and fancying 
all sorts of noises as one will in the night when 
the house is still, he crept out of bed, slipped on 
his outer clothes again, and tiptoed to the head 
of the stairs to see if his uncle had himself gone 
to bed. There was a faint light below and the 
boy was confident that the candle must be burn- 
ing, for Uncle Ephraim would never leave a fire 
on the hearth at this time of the year. 

The light flickered, too, as though it were 
being moved about, and disturbed by this, and 
not a little worried, the boy finally descended 
the stairs in perfect silence, intending to make 
sure that Uncle Ephraim was all right. Half 
way down the flight he could see into the 
kitchen, and the face of the old Dutch clock 
was in the range of his vision. The hands 
pointed to past ten o’clock, an unconscionably 
late hour for the old man to be astir. 

Carefully going down several steps further, 
116 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


he arrived where he could observe all the room, 
including the fireplace, and what was his aston- 
ishment to see Ephraim Morris standing upon 
a chair before an old brick oven built high in 
the chimney and which Hadley never remem- 
bered seeing opened before. It was open now, 
however, and the old gentleman had his head 
and shoulders thrust inside, as though reaching 
for something concealed at the extreme back of 
the oven. 


117 


CHAPTER IX 

A MIDNIGHT BURYING 

To play the role of eavesdropper, or ‘‘ Peep- 
ing Tom,^’ was not according to Hadley Morris’s 
nature. He hated a sneak ; but his curiosity 
regarding his uncle’s maneuvers was for the 
time too strong for his ideas of what was really 
honorable, and instead of retreating • up the 
stairs to the loft again, he remained where he 
was and watched the old gentleman. Like 
most substantially-built houses of that day, the 
Morris homestead had a great stone and brick 
fireplace built into the end wall, with a huge 
chimney up which the flames from the logs 
leaped on a winter’s night most cheerily. The}" 
never leaped much at Uncle Ephraim’s, for the 
old man was too careful of his woodpile ; but 
the chimney had not been built according to 
the ideas of a stingy man. Perhaps Master 
Morris had not developed his miserly habits 
118 


i 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


when he first came to the Colonies and built this 
house in western Jersey. 

However, there was plenty of room in the 
masonry to the right of the fireplace, for one of 
those ovens in which the pioneer housewives 
did all their baking. The oven was like a safe 
built into the chimney, and had a smooth clay 
floor. On this well-burned floor was laid fat- 
wood ’’ in stacks, and after the wood was en- 
tirely burned, and the floor of the oven swept 
clean of ashes with a turkey wing, the pies, 
biscuit, and other goodies ’’ were put in and 
baked in tbe fierce heat left in the bricks by 
the fire. But it had been a long time since the 
Morris oven had been used for any such purpose 
as this. Indeed, Hadley could not remember 
that he had ever seen the door o])en before, and 
Uncle Ephraim had always kept it fastened with 
an old-fashioned brass padlock. 

The padlock now lay on the floor, and as 
Hadley continued to peer into the wide kitchen 
from around the corner of the door-frame, he saw 
Master Morris draw back from the mouth of 
the oven, holding a bag in each hand. The 
bags were not large, but by the way his uncle 
carried them, the boy knew they were heavy, 
119 


pyith Washington at Valley Forge 


and when the old man stepped down from the 
chair and laid them on the table, the listener 
heard a faint chink as though of metal. It’s 
gold !” whispered the boy to himself, and his 
eyes opened even more widely at the thought. 

Without much doubt he had unexpectedly 
come upon Uncle Ephraim’s secret hiding-place 
for his wealth. That he had money laid away, 
the nephew knew ; but he had supposed it in 
the bank, or some such place of safety. Per- 
haps, however, the troublous times had made 
Uncle Ephraim wary of the bankers, and he had 
undertaken to keep guard of his money himself. 
Back the old man climbed upon the heavy 
chair, and reaching into the oven again drew forth 
still another pair of bags, both as heavy as the 
first two. He placed them on the table also, 
went to the chimney, closed and locked the 
oven door, and moved the chair away from be- 
fore it. 

Then for the first time Hadley saw that Mas- 
ter Morris wore his waistcoat and coat as 
though he were ready to go out of doors. He 
put on his hat at once, stuck the half-burned 
candle in a lantern, and with the latter swung 
over his arm and two of the heavy bags in each 


PViih Washington at Valley Forge 


hand, he left the house. Hadley hesitated only 
a moment ; then, curiosity still spurring him, 
he ran lightly down the remaining steps into 
the kitchen and followed his uncle out of doors 
without stopping for his own hat. The night 
was mild and not at all dark, but the boy might 
have found some difficulty in following the old 
man, had it not been for the flickering lantern 
which swung from his arm. This dancing will- 
o’-the-wisp led him down behind the barns and 
cribs and directly into the orchard, where the 
branches of the gnarled old apple trees met, and, 
with their fruit and foliage, shut out most of the 
starlight. 

Hadley crept near cautiously when he saw 
that Uncle Ephraim had halted and set the 
light upon the ground. Soon he discovered that 
the old man had been here befoi-e since he went 
to bed, for there was a shovel and a heap of earth 
in plain view. He watched his uncle and saw 
him drop the four bags into what appeared to be 
a rather deep hole, then place a flat stone on top 
of them, and afterward fill in the hole with the 
soil and stamp it all down with care. There 
was considerable soil left then and the old man 
carried this away shovelful by shovelful and 
121 


( 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


threw it into a ditch at the far edge of the 
orchard. Afterward he replaced the sod which 
he had earlier removed, patting it all down 
evenly with the flat of his shovel. The burying 
was completed, and marking the sj)ot well for 
future reference, Hadley ran back to the house 
and climbed to the loft and was nicely in bed 
again before the old man returned to the kitchen. 

But the strangeness of the whole matter kej^t 
the boy awake long after he was sure his uncle 
had sought his own couch. There is some- 
thing wrong in all this,’^ he told himself. I 
hate to think Uncle Ephraim dishonest, but I 
am very sure the fact that this Colonel Knowles 
is in the neighborhood has made him hide those 
bags. I know they contain coin ; nothing else 
could be so heavy and give out such a sound. 
And what a lot of money it must be ! Is it 
possible that Uncle Ephraim was dishonest in 
England and stole some of that money from 
this British officer? If I dared I’d just ask 
Colonel Knowles to tell me his side of the story. 
Uncle won’t tell me his — of that I’m pretty 
sure. Maybe Mistress Lillian would tell me if 
I assured her that I was not upholding my uncle 
in any wrong doing. But — but that would seem 
122 


( 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


like treachery to Uncle Ephraim. I know he’s 
stingy and mean in money matters ; Imt I al- 
ways thought him honest, and why should I take 
the word of strangers against his character ?” 

But this was poor comfort, and he could not 
compose his mind to sleep, and was glad when 
at length the cocks crew to announce the gray 
light in the east. He arose and went back to 
the Three Oaks without again seeing Uncle 
Ephraim, and tried to forget the incident of the 
night in his work about the inn. But when he 
saw Colonel Creston Knowles ride off with 
William toward the Morris farm soon after 
breakfast, Hadley wished that he had remained 
longer with his uncle and so been present at the 
interview which was about to take place betAveen 
the old man and the British officer. 

Lillian avoided him that day, seemingly, and 
Hadley went about his duties with much trouble 
at his heart. It was after noon when Colonel 
Knowles and his henchman returned, and a 
glance at the officer’s face told Hadley that the 
gentleman was in a towering rage. The boy 
was in the stable door when the two rode in, 
William keeping unobtrusively in the rear, and 
as the Colonel leaped down from his black 
123 


WUh Washington at Valley Forge 


charger he saw the boy and muttered angrily : 
“ Another of that Morris breed !” It made 
Hadley flush all over, but more than ever was 
he convinced that Uncle Ephraim had injured 
Colonel Knowles and his daughter in some 
mysterious way. 

He did his best to obtain from William some 
account of what had occurred at the farm ; but 
the Cockney either knew nothing of the in- 
terview, or had been warned not to talk, and 
the boy was forced to give it up. Later when 
he was called into the house by Dame Benson 
to perform some task too heavy for the maids, 
Lillian Knowles swept by him with averted 
eyes, so he knew then that he was to be included 
in her dislike of anybody by his name. This 
fact hurt him more than he was willing to show, 
and for the remainder of that day and the next 
he was very careful to keep out of the girl’s 
sight. 

Then something occurred which succeeded in 
driving this mystery into the background of 
the boy’s mind. News from Philadelphia had 
been scarce since his return from the Pennsyl- 
vania side of the river ; but after supper that 
evening a man rode up to the inn on a fagged- 
124 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


out horse, and told them that the army under 
Washington was on the move and was marching 
toward Philadelphia, as it was believed Lord 
Howe’s fleet would land troops to attack the 
city where Congress was then in session. The 
man obtained a fresh mount and rode on into the 
east, having secret business in that direction. 

That night while Jonas Benson and Hadley 
sat together in the chimneyplace of the inn 
kitchen (much to the disturbance of Mistress 
Benson), talking over the possibilities of the 
battle which must occur before long, the herald- 
ing squeak of Lafe Hold ness’ wagon axles 
reached their ears, the outer door being ajar. 

^‘Bun, open the gate for him, Had !” exclaimed 
Benson. Mistress, put down something to heat 
for a hungry man, and I warrant you Lafe will 
do justice to it.” 

His wife grumblingly opined that a cold sup- 
per was good enough for a man like Lafe Hold- 
ness ; but she nevertheless obeyed her husband’s 
behest. ‘‘ If I don’t get these Britishers out of 
the Three Oaks before long you’ll be running 
away to join the ^king’s men yourself, mother!” 
exclaimed Jonas, and then quickly went outside 
himself to escape the lash of his wife’s tongue. 

125 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Meanwhile the heavy, low-bodied wagon had 
turned into the inn yard and Lafe’s nasal tones, 
as he talked to his horses, rose above the wel- 
coming bark of the collie and the whinnying 
of the horses in the stable who recognized the 
coming of equine friends. 

Stan’ round ther, you !” exclaimed Lafe. 
‘ Ef ye want suthin’ ter eat why don’t ye stan’ 
still so’t I kin unbuckle this strap ? Hello 
Had Morris ! is that air yeou ? I didn’t ’spect 
ter see yeou ag’in this side o’ the river till the 
war was over,” and the Yankee chuckled 
mightily and dug the boy good-naturedly in tlie 
ribs. Them Britishers about here yet, Jonas ?” 

Sh !” warned Benson, sure that Colonel 
Knowles or William would be within ear-shot. 
“ The officer and his man and daughter are here, 
Lafe.” 

“ And Had, too ! Well, well !” exclaimed the 
teamster. Guess there ain’t no dragoons in 
these parts neow, hey ?” 

No, they have gone.” 

An’ mighty lucky for them they did,” Lafe 
remarked, leading one of the horses into the 
barn. ‘‘ I hear there was a party of jolly farmer 
lads up north of us was reckonin’ on goin’ over to 
126 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the Mills an’ gobbling up Major Malcolm an’ 
his whole troop. Too bad they got wind of it. 
Them Britishers rode some purty fine critters 
an’ bosses would ha’ come handy over near 
Philadelphy jest now.” 

‘‘We heard to-night the army was on the 
move, Lafe,” Jonas said, following him into the 
barn and speaking low. 

Lafe dropped for the moment his bantering 
tone and spoke seriously. “ There’s going to be 
somethin’ done purty soon, friends — somethin’ 
big ! There’s sure to be a battle. Howe’s fleet 
is cornin’ up Chesapeake Bay and Gineral 
Washington will meet the troops he lands 
somewhere south of Philadelphia ; but we ain’t 
got much more’ll ten thousand men, all told.” 

“ How many sailed from York ?” queried the 
innkeeper. 

“The Lord — that is, Lord Howe— only 
knows !” returned Lafe, ruefully, yet unable to 
quell his propensity for joking. “ Them dis- 
patches Had took over ter Germantown didn’t 
give the exact figgers. But I’m out this way 
sendin’ in all the scatterin’ men that hev got 
guns. There won’t much happen hereabout un- 
til the two armies meet.” 


127 


With Washington at Valley Forge 

‘‘ Bat the Tories may make us trouble/^ sug- 
gested Benson. 

‘‘ I dunno. A Tory is a wary bird, I reckon. 
He’ll wait till he sees how the battle goes b’fore 
he gits uppish. If aour side wins, the king’s 
friends will be pretty sure that the farmers’ll 
come home an’ repay in full everything that’s 
been done while they was gone. And speakin’ 
about Had,” added Lafe, suddenly, ‘‘ I’m wantin’ 
ter use him, Jonas.” 

“ Well,” remarked the innkeeper, with twink- 
ling eyes, he’s a pretty valuable boy to me. 
I have to pay his uncle for him, too.” 

“You’d oughter be called Judas Benson!” 
declared the Yankee. “You’re a great feller 
ter haggle over the wage of a ’prentice boy. 
I’m goin’ ter send him to the army — it’s at 
Philadelphia now.” 

“ And that means I’ll likely lose a good horse 
as well as the boy,” grumbled Jonas. 

“ Don’t you think I’ve got anything to say 
about it myself?” demanded Hadley of the 
Yankee. 

“ Not much. I’ve got orders for you,” he 
declared, nodding his head. “ See here.” He 
drew a battered wallet from his pocket, and in 
128 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the light of the iiinkeeper^s lantern selected a 
slip of paper from one of the compartments. 
This he displayed before the wondering eyes of 
both Jonas and Hadley. On the paper was 
written in a rather cramped and formal hand : — 

“ Send back the boy from the Three Oaks 
Inn with any message. 

Cadwalader.” 

‘‘Why!’^ exclaimed the round-eyed inn- 
keeper, ‘‘ that’s the man who saved you from the 
soldiers, Had — Colonel Cadwalader.” 

I reckon ye must ha’ got purty thick with 
Master Cadwalader, Had,” said Lafe, tearing 
the paper into small pieces. Let me tell yeou 
he is in the Gineral’s confidence as much as old 
Knox or Colonel Pickering. I got sumthin’ im- 
portant for yeou to take to headquarters, an’ if 
yeou had your supper, yeou’d better saddle a 
boss an’ git away with it purty soon. The 
quicker ye start the sooner ye’ll ketch the army, 
for it’s on the move.” 

While he was speaking, Jonas Benson was 
already leading Black Molly out of her stall, 
showing at once that his objection to the boy’s 
departure had been but momentary. ‘^He’s 
129 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


had his supper, and he can git right out now,'' 
he declared. 

But Hadley waited long enough to go into 
the loft and put on the best suit of homespun 
which he possessed, and encased his legs in long 
riding boots with a pair of tiny spurs screwed 
into the heels. There were no papers to take 
this time, for Lafe Holdness whispered the 
message he had to send into the boy's attentive 
ear. An' now good luck to ye !" exclaimed 
the scout, as the youth mounted into the saddle 
and Jonas opened the stable door. “Nobody 
can take nothin' from ye this time, but mebbe 
it's just as well if yeou dodge all armed men of 
airy complection till ye pass Germantown." 

Black Molly trotted quietly down the inn yard 
toward the gate. Just as she was going through 
this, and her rider was about to give her the 
rein, he was startled by a soft “ S-s-st !" beside 
him. He turned his head quickly and drew 
Molly down to a walk. A shadowy figure stood 
at the end of the porch. In an instant Hadley 
recognized Lillian Knowles, with a light shawl 
flung over her head and shoulders, and her hand 
outstretched to him. 

“ Hadley Morris," she whispered ; “ if you 

130 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


are carrying anything — anything you don^t 
want other folks to see — look out ! There are 
others besides me who know you are riding 
toward the ferry to-night.” And then, before 
he could reply or express his astonishment at 
her warning, she slipped away and disappeared 
into the inn. He heard the door close softly 
behind her, and, after a moment’s liesitation, he 
started Molly on again, and pointed her nose 
for the distant ferry, wondering if he ought to 
take the girl’s words seriously and turn back 
for reinforcements. 


131 


CHAPTEK X 

THE LANDING OF THE ENEMY 

As Lafe Hold ness said, the enemy could take 
nothing from the boy courier on this journey — 
nothing of information or papers of value ; 
but the possibility of being waylaid and beaten, 
perhaps killed, was not pleasant to contemplate. 
Hadley could scarcely understand the veiled 
warning he had received from Lillian Knowles. 
Was her father about to stop him on the road, 
believing that he again carried documents of 
importance to the American forces ? He did 
not wish to fall into Colonel Creston Knowles’ 
hands just then, fo-r the latter was angry enough 
with him as it was, and Hadley did not care to 
add to his irritation. 

It might be, however, that somebody else had 
overheard the recent conference in the inn 
stable* and Lillian was cognizant of the fact. 
Some Tory visitor, perhaps, knew of his starting 
132 


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HE CROUCHED AND LISTENED TO THE DIALOGUE 


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IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


forth. He drew rein again in the shadow of a 
long pile of cord-wood which bordered the wall 
of the Benson estate and felt in the darkness 
for a stout club, heavy enough to do a man’s 
head serious damage, but not too clumsy for 
him to swing easily. Then he chirruped to 
Black Molly and she trotted on, her master 
keeping his eyes sharply open for trouble. 

He was too proud to ride back and ask Lafe 
to come with him ; Hadley did not lack personal 
courage ; but he was nevertheless all of a tremor 
as the little mare trotted over the hard road. 
He gripped the club nervously and tried to 
pierce the gloom, which was thickest, of course, 
under the trees which bordered the road. He 
was taking the shortest road to the ferry, to- 
night, for there was no trouble to be appre- 
hended there from British soldiers, and he 
would be sure to get quick transportation to the 
other side, for the people at the ferry were loyal. 
He would not have gone around by the Alwood 
house again for a good deal. Rod after rod the 
inn was left behind and Black Molly had now 
brought him quite a quarter of a mile from the 
Benson place. There were no other houses on 
this road, until he passed the Morris pastures, 
133 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


where he had his unpleasant meeting with Lon 
Alwood, the day before. The mare footed it 
nicely over the road until now ; but suddenly 
she threw up her head, her quivering ears 
pointed forward — Had could see them as dark 
as the night was — as though she listened to 
some sound too faint for her rider’s dull hearing 
to catch. 

‘‘ What is it, Molly ?” the youth demanded, 
holding a tight rein and gripping the club more 
firmly than before. 

Instantly a harsh voice addressed him out of 
the darkness. Stand there and deliver !” At 
the same instant a figure sprang before the little 
mare and her bridle was seized by a firm hand. 

Don’t make her dance !” ordered the stranger ; 
‘‘ for if you do I’ll put a ball through her head 
and perhaps one through you.” 

Hadley saw that the speaker waved a big 
horsepistol in his other hand and he spoke 
quietingly to Molly. ‘‘ What do you want ?” 
he demanded, in as brave a tone as he could 
assume. 

“ Give me what you carry,” commanded the 
other, still speaking gruffly. Hadley felt sure 
that it was a disguised voice, and remembering 

134 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


what Lillian Knowles had said to him as he left 
the inn, he wondered who the person was who 
had halted him. “ No slippery tricks, Had 
Morris !” growled he at the horse’s head. 

Hand me the papers you carry. Give me 
what you’ve got.” But the strain of disguising 
liis voice grew too much for the fellow, and as he 
talked he unconsciously dropped back into his 
usual manner of speaking. At once Hadley, 
although he was still unable to see his face, 
knew that it was Lon Alwood who had stopped 
him. And he was puzzled by the discovery, for 
he wondered how Mistress Lillian could have 
known of the Tory youth’s intention. 

His mind did not work in one direction alone, 
however. Before Alwood had reiterated his de- 
mand Hadley was preparing to make answer. 
‘Won want what I carry?” he cried. “Then 
take it !” and swinging up the club suddenly he 
brought it down again upon the shoulder of his 
enemy. Lon roared and dropped both the pis- 
tol and the mare’s bridle rein ; but Hadley did 
did not come out of the affray without trouble. 

Black Molly was startled by the blow and 
darted to the side of the road. Before her 
youthful rider could pull her in, she was in the 
135 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


ditch and only her quickness saved her from a 
disastrous fall. As she slid down the steep side 
of the gulley Had slipped his feet from the stir- 
rups and leaped to the ground. Lon, with many 
imprecations and threats, groped about the dark 
roadway and finally found the pistol. He was 
maddened beyond all control now and plainly 
beholding Hadley’s bulk — where he stood on 
the edge of the ditch urging the mare out upon 
the level again — he aimed the weapon and would 
have fired at his old school fellow point blank ! 

But before his finger pressed the trigger a 
third actor appeared upon the scene. A man 
sprang from the bushes on the far side of the 
road and in two strides was beside the Tory. 
He seized Alwood’s arm and the pistol ball flew 
wide of its intended mark. 

At the moment the shot was fired Hadley had 
managed to half drag Black Molly from the 
ditch. His quick side glance saw the danger 
and he sprang for the steed’s back ; the explo- 
sion of the heavy pistol frightened Black Molly 
again, and before her rider was firmly settled in 
the saddle she was off like the wind. He ob- 
tained, however, another swift glance at the two 
figures struggling in the roadway behind him, 
136 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


just as the second barrel of the weapon was ex- 
ploded. The flash lit up the scene and with 
astonishment Hadley saw the person who had 
saved him to be Colonel Knowles’ Cockney serv- 
ant. 

He and Molly were a good mile further on 
their way, however, before he had time to think 
much of this surprising fact, for the little mare 
ran like a scared rabbit. Who could have 
sent the man to help me ?” he thought, when 
Molly had finally settled into a respectable 
pace. ‘‘ Surely not his master ; and Mistress 
Lillian—” 

To believe that the Colonel’s daughter had 
done him this favor — had sent William to assist 
him ill overcoming the Tory youth — was rather 
pleasant; yet it seemed too improbable to be 
true, and he wondered much as he rode swiftly 
on to the feriy. There was no trouble in cross- 
ing the river on this night. He found fires 
burning on the banks and the ferrymen were 
wide awake. There was considerable bustle at 
the landing and Hadley learned that several 
parties bound for Philadelphia had gone over 
ahead of him and that others were expected. 
The loyal Jersey farmers and farmers’ sons were 
137 


1/Vith Washington at Valley Forge 


hastening to join General Washington, eager to 
take part in this new movement against the 
enemy. The boy was not delayed or molested 
in any way, and once on the Pennsylvania 
shore he urged the little mare to top speed, pass- 
ing party after party of recruits, all hastening 
in the same direction. 

Not long past midnight he reached the farm- 
er’s at which he had previously changed horses. 
The man remembered him and, thanks to Had- 
ley’s first appearance there under Colonel Cad- 
walader’s protection, the youth was enabled to 
get a fresh mount on this occasion. The 
farmer, too, was able to give him reliable in- 
formation about the movements of the Ameri- 
can forces. 

You will not find His Excellency at Ger- 
mantown,” the farmer declared. Aye, an’ 
ye’ll not catch him at Philadelphia, I’m thinkin’. 
The Pedcoats are coming up the Chesapeake an’ 
the army’s movin’ south to shelter the city from 
attack.” Then followed directions relating to 
cross-roads and bridle paths by following which 
he might overtake the army on its way to 
Wilmington. 

Without waiting for sleep, but fortified with 
138 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


a hearty meal which the fanner’s wife prepared, 
Hadley set off again within the hour on a fresh 
mount. He was weary, saddle-sore, and parched 
by the August heat. But he was obeying or- 
ders, and although he did not understand the 
importance of the verbal message Holdness had 
given him for Colonel Cadwalader, the youth 
knew what his duty was. He could not foresee 
what was to happen and what sights he should 
witness before he again rode into the yard of 
the Three Oaks Inn. The people whom he 
passed (the Tory element was not in evidence) 
were very cheerful regarding the battle which 
they believed would be fought as soon as Lord 
Howe’s troops landed. Despair and inaction 
had held the Colonials in a hard grip during 
these past few months, but now there was a 
chance to do something, and the farmers were 
again hopeful. 

While Hadley Morris was riding hard over 
the dusty roads to overtake Washington’s per- 
sonal staff on this twenty-fourth day of August, 
the American army, augmented by fresh recruits, 
and some eleven thousand strong, marched 
through the length of Front Street. Philadel- 
phia had seen some gloomy days of late, but 
139 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the ai^pcarance of so many armed men was cal- 
culated to raise the spirits of the populace a 
little ; yet it is said that the cheering along the 
line of march lacked that inspiring quality with 
which a conquering army usually goes to battle. 
It was known that they were about to meet an 
enemy well trained and seasoned, and, in ad- 
dition, outnumbering them by several thou- 
sands. 

Philadelphia had from the beginning of the 
war been the headquarters of rebellion, and the 
British were determined to humble the city. 
How could Washington’s forces hope to cope 
with men who had fought on half the battle- 
fields of Europe? It had been a handful of 
untrained farmers, however, who had beaten 
back the grenadiers at Bunker Hill ; and it 
could scarcely be called a trained army that 
had driven the Redcoats finally out of Boston 
town. 

It was long past mid-afternoon when Hadley 
overtook the rear guard of the American army. 
It was no easy matter to find the commander 
and his staff, and, when found, to select Colonel 
Cadwalader from the other officers and get near 
enough to him to deliver the message he car- 
140 


I4^ith Washington at Valley Forge 


ried. But the instant the officer saw and recog- 
nized the youth, he graciously called him near. 
Evidently Lafe Hold ness’ message, which had 
been a mystery to Had, because he did not un- 
derstand what the seemingly simple sentence 
meant, was most important, for Colonel Cadwal- 
ader hurried off at once to General Washington, 
bidding the boy remain with the column until 
he returned. 

When he did return there was with him the 
young officer who had desired Hadley as a re- 
cruit on the day he brought dispatches to the 
Commander-in-chief at Germantown. ‘‘ I can- 
not let you go back just yet. Master Morris,” 
Colonel Cadwalader declared ; “ I may have 

work for you to do later. Meanwhile, I shall 
place you in Captain Prentice’s care,” and he 
indicated the smiling subordinate officer. ‘‘ You 
are not obliged to fight, if it be against your 
conscience ; but you may see some fighting be- 
fore you return to Jersey.” 

He wheeled his horse and rode away again, 
and Captain Prentice offered the youth his 
hand. ‘‘ Leave the nag, Morris,” he said, cor- 
dially, ‘‘and take your place Avith ‘Foot and 
Leggets’ ’ company. Your horse seems about 

141 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


done for, anyway, and you will be able to pick 
up a better one when you return. You’re to go 
with me, and I am in the infantry.” 

And so, rather unexpectedly, Hadley found 
himself marching with the patriot forces to- 
ward Wilmington. Captain Prentice found him 
a gun and he shared the rations of the good- 
natured fellows about him. The youth was very 
tired after his long ride, but walking was better 
than riding, and there were times when the 
ranks rested. The next day, however, the army 
reached the Delaware town, only to learn 
through the scouts that the British had landed 
at the head of the Elk Biver, fifty miles or 
more from Philadelphia. The news spread, too, 
how greatly the Bedcoats outnumbered the 
Americans ; there were eighteen thousand of the 
former, and the faces of even the rank and file 
grew grave. 

The Americans marched to Bed Clay Creek, 
beyond Wilmington, and for several days there 
were smart skirmishes between portions of the 
two armies. But there was no decisive engage- 
ment, and finally Washington outgeneraled 
Howe and fell back upon the Brandywine, 
which he crossed at Chadd’s Ford, posting his 

142 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


army on the hills to the east. Meanwhile Cap- 
tain Prentice^s command had seen little fight- 
ing, and both the young officer and Hadley 
Morris were anxious to get closer to the firing 
line than they had been thus far. 

Hadley had forgotten his original expecta- 
tion of returning at once to the Three Oaks 
Inn, after having delivered his message to 
Colonel Cadwalader ; and it looked as though 
the colonel had forgotten him. But he was so 
excited by the prospect of a battle that he was 
not chafing over the delay of his return journey. 
Without doubt a fight was imminent, the com- 
manders of the opposing forces maneuvering for 
the best position for tlieir line of battle. 

Thus August slipped away, September came, 
and the fateful eleventh day of the latter month 
approached. 


143 


CHAPTER XI 

A MESSENGER OF DEFEAT 

In the excitement of those September days 
when the two armies overran the Pennsylvania 
hills to the west and south of Philadelphia, 
Hadley came near forgetting his Uncle Ephraim 
and the promise he had made his mother re- 
garding the old man. Miser Morris had so re- 
pelled his nephew's kindly efforts to help him, 
that the boy felt he was no more able to do him 
any good while at the Three Oaks than he was 
miles away from the Morris farm in the lines of 
the Continental troops. And then, the glamour 
of the life — the drilling, the marching, the un- 
certainty, the danger — all fed his imagination 
and inspired him with actual delight. Prentice, 
the young captain in whose charge Colonel Cad- 
walder had placed the youth, declared al- 
most hourly that Hadley was “ spoiling a good 
officer by hanging about a country inn." 

144 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


‘‘ I don’t feel that I could regularly enlist,” 
the boy said to him, so I am not likely to be 
an officer yet awhile. I am here now only as a 
volunteer, and my conscience troubles me, too, 
at that.” 

But all things end in their own good time, 
and the long wait which ensued after the land- 
ing of the British finally was closed on the 
morning of September 11th. Caj^tain Pren- 
tice’s command had not even tasted a skirmish 
until that day ; but Hadley — nor the captain 
himself — could find no fault with the position 
they occupied during the fearful hours which 
followed the first gun of attack. Hadley was 
eager to see a general engagement, to see the 
armies charge each other and try their strength 
upon a real battlefield, instead of individual 
men snapping their muskets at one another in 
little skirmishes. Before the end of that day he 
could not realize what awful motive had ever 
urged such a foolish desire in his heart. 

He saw men lying dead upon the browning 
hillsides ; he heard wounded horses screaming 
in their death agony ; the earth shook with the 
discharge of the heavy guns ; the crackling of 
the musketry fire deafened him. The fife and 
145 


Washington at Valley Forge 


drums, the uniformed officers, the marching 
soldiery made no appeal to Hadley Morris now. 
Wounds and death were all about him and fear 
gripped his heart like a vise. Time and again 
as he heard the shriek of the bullets over his 
head he could have fainted, or run away in ab- 
ject terror, had he dared ! But the thought of 
being considered a coward frightened him even 
more, and he stayed. 

Once, when there was a lull of heavy firing 
on both sides, a strange sound reached his ears. 
Captain Prentice^s command was somewhat 
above and to one side of the main line of battle, 
and this sound, growing louder and more ear- 
piercing as the strange silence continued, had 
such an eerie effect upon the listener that Had- 
ley actually shook with a nervous chill, without 
knowing what caused it. The sound was little 
more than a murmur — yet a very insistent, pene- 
trating murmur. 

What is it Hadley whispered to the man 
who stood next him in the broken line. 

The cries of the wounded,’’ was the stern 
reply, and the boy was glad when a renewal of 
the conflict drowned the awful sound. 

No history fittingly tells the story of that 

14G 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


day’s struggle — the high hopes with which the 
battle was begun by the Americans, the deter- 
mined, dogged resistance they offered the British 
soldiery. Yet its salient points are familiar 
enough. We do not like to speak at length upon 
the defeats of our arms even in that unequal 
war. But without doubt, had not Sullivan 
blundered and lost to the American cause a good 
twelve hundred men, the Battle of the Brandy- 
wine would have been placed upon the list of 
American victories. 

Hadley saw the patriot army driven back, and 
as they retreated he observed many of the men 
weeping like women at the thought of flying be- 
fore an enemy which they had practically held 
in check since early morning. Captain Pren- 
tice, who had been recklessly courageous during 
the engagement, was wounded, yet still kept on 
the firing line with his arm and shoulder 
swathed in bandages. As they broke into the 
final disorderly retreat an aide galloped up to 
the young captain and said a word to him. 

‘‘ Morris !” exclaimed Prentice, ‘‘ follow this 
man to Colonel Cadwalder. He wants you. 
All’s lost here, anyway ; there’s nothing more 
to be done.” 


147 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


Hadley threw down his musket and ran be- 
side the aide’s stirrup along the dusty road for 
nearly a quarter of a mile before overtaking 
the group of officers of which Colonel Cad- 
walader was the centre. The Colonel sat 
his horse firmly, and, despite the creature’s 
dancing, was writing rapidly on the pommel 
of his saddle. 

Morris,” he said, scarcely glancing at the 
youth, it is over for to-day. You are not kept 
here with Captain Prentice by any enlistment, 
I believe ?” 

No, sir.” 

Then you can go back if you wish — you 
can go home. We shall retreat, and whether 
his Excellency secures another such chance to 
meet the enemy soon, remains to be seen. It is 
an awful thing — an awful thing ! But that is 
not why I called you. There is a fresh horse 
yonder being held for you. Here branches the 
road to Philadelphia. You will not be mo- 
lested, for the British have not yet crossed it — 
though we’re not sure they’ll not throw a col- 
umn out between us and the city. 

‘‘ This letter goes to Holdness at the Indian 
Queen Tavern, in Fourth Street — anybody will 

148 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


direct you. Then, when it is delivered, you 
may follow your own wishes. Master Morris,^’ 
and the gentleman leaned down and dropped 
the unsealed note into the boy’s hand with a 
grave smile. “ Leave the horse where you ex- 
changed steeds before on the Germantown pike 
— you already have a horse there, have you 
not ?” 

‘‘ I left one there, sir.” 

Very well. Now, off with you ! I shall 
see you anon — and hear more of you to your 
credit, I believe.” And with a wave of his hand 
Colonel Cadwalader dismissed him. 

Together with the men beside whom he had 
fought, Hadley was nigh heartbroken over the 
result of the battle. The retreat was almost a 
rout in some parts of the field. The boy sprang 
upon the horse held by an orderly and at once 
dashed away through the broken lines, and 
soon left the disorganized army behind. It was 
a bitter hour, and, young as he was, the youth 
felt it keenly. How would he be greeted in 
the city toward which he was carrying the 
news of the battle? He could imagine with 
what despair the result of the struggle would 
be received. 


149 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


But he could not imagine all that had oc- 
curred in the capital during the hours of that 
fateful day. The days of anxiety and suspense 
which had followed the landing of the* enemy 
culminated that morning when the distant 
booming of heavy guns announced the begin- 
ning of a general engagement in the southwest. 
At the first cannon shot many people left their 
houses and collected in the streets, and all day 
long their straining ears listened to the thun- 
derous muttering of the guns. About six 
o^clock it died away, but the groups in the 
street still listened and waited. The sun set, 
and supper-time came and went unnoticed by 
those still remaining in the Quaker city. 

Naturally there were not any great number 
of male adults, excepting the old men, or those 
burdened by family or business cares which 
actually forbade their being in the ranks of the 
patriot army. Of course, there were a few 
Tories left, but they were not active as had 
been Joseph Galloway and the Allens before 
they were banished from the town. There 
were no young men — only boys and children 
hanging on the skirts of the various groups 
about the State House, or listening to the 
150 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


remarks of the wise ones gathered before the 
doors of the houses of public entertainment. 

The women, too, whispered on their doorsteps 
to each other or craned their necks out of the 
darkened windows to look nervously along the 
street. The sound of the guns had brought 
that grim, horrible thing called war so much 
nearer to them than it had ever been before. 

About eight o’clock there was some little dis- 
turbance at one of the inns called tlie Old 
Coffee House, where the story gained credit that 
Washington had won a victory, and some few 
began to cheer. But there was no authority 
behind the story and the enthusiasm died out, 
and by nine o’clock the suspense was actually 
painful. 

At last, far out Chestnut Street toward the 
distant Schuylkill, there rose the sound of rapid 
hoof-beats. As the approaching horseman tore 
down the street voices rose and hailed him as 
he passed, and soon the clamor grew to a roar 
which roused the town for blocks around. The 
people ran together toward the State House, 
and saw a youth on a foam-flecked horse, cov- 
ered with dust, and exhausted, riding hard along 
the rough way. 


151 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Once he drew rein for a moment to inquire 
the way again to the Indian Queen ; but he re- 
fused to answer any questions until he had rid- 
den around into Fourth Street and stopped be- 
fore the door of the old hostelry. 

“ Had Morris !” exclaimed a voice in the 
crowd which poured out of the place, and the 
lank figure of Lafe Holdness pushed through 
the throng and helloed the boy from the saddle. 

‘‘ What’s the news ? Tell us of the battle!” 
cried the crowd. What does the lad bring ?” 

Hadley thrust Colonel Cadwalader’s let- 
ter into the scout’s hand first. Theji he said 
weakly to the anxious citizens: “There has 
been a battle fought to-day ; but there are plenty 
of stragglers to tell you of it. There is another 
messenger in town already — he can tell you bet- 
ter than I.” 

“ But is it defeat or victory ?” somebody cried. 

“ The army has been beaten — I don’t know 
how badly. They say somebody blundered 
and General Washington is obliged to fall back. 
The French Marquis was wounded — I was told 
seriously. The army is marching northward 
and there will be plenty of stragglers here 
soon.” 


152 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


Then he clutched Holdness by his sleeve. 
“Get me a bed, Lafe. I am nearly dead with 
riding so far, on top of all that^s been done to- 
day. And I have no money. 

“ Tut,* tut exclaimed the Yankee. “ Never 
mind money here, lad. Ye^ll be well enter- 
tained —I’ll speak to somebody about ye. But 
I must be off myself at once.” 

And in ten minutes Hadley was alone in a 
little room at the top of the house, anxious to 
rest after his toilsome ride, while Holdness was 
away on some business connected with Colonel 
Cadwalader’s note. The city was, however, in a 
tumult. Hadley’s news had now been verified 
by a dozen other messengers of ill tidings, and 
few in Philadelphia that night believed that 
Washington could successfully oppose the enemy 
again before Howe threw his troops upon the city 
itself. 

Indeed, when Hadley appeared in the street 
the next morning to mount his horse brought 
around by the stableman, the same groups of 
excited citizens seemed to surround the Indian 
Queen which had been there the night before 
when he arrived. As far as he could learn, 
everybody seemed to believe that the city was 
153 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


doomed to capture by the British and that the 
defeat of Brandywine could not be retrieved. 
A night’s sleep, however, had renewed Hadley’s 
courage as well as refreshed his body. When 
he clattered out of town, following ‘the road 
northward toward Germantown, he drew in, 
with every breath of the fresh morning air, the 
feeling that all was not yet lost. He remembered 
how bravely his comrades had fought the day 
before ; how reluctant they had been to fall 
back, even when commanded to do so. He 
thought of General Washington himself and a 
mental picture of His Excellency’s stern, firmly- 
lined face rose before him. That was not a man 
to give up — nor would General Knox, nor 
Wayne, nor Colonel Cadwalader, nor even 
young Captain Prentice ! Before he reached 
the farmhouse where he had left his horse he was 
confident that Philadelphia would not be given 
over to the enemy without a second struggle. 

And with that belief another idea entered the 
boy’s mind. He had experienced a real battle. 
It had frightened him, and the thoughts of some 
of the awful things he had seen and heard still 
troubled his mind ; but he felt that now, when 
he had been initiated in war’s alarms, it was too 
154 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


bad that he should not reniaiii and fight again 
when the patriots tried to keep the enemy out 
of the city. 

“ I’ll go home as quick as ever I can and beg 
Uncle to let me go — he must let me enlist the 
boy thought. Anyway, if he says ' no,’ I’ll 
go just as I did this time, find a gun, and stay 
as long as the battle’s on. I know Jonas won’t 
care.” 

He came again to the ferry and crossed it at 
night. Black Molly (he had found her in good 
condition at the farmer’s) apiDarently as eager to 
be home as himself. The news of the disastrous 
battle had preceded him, and everywhere Hadley 
was met by anxious inquiries. He met no Tories, 
for most of them had gone to join the British 
forces ; but the American farmers had again lost 
hope. As he was poled across the river one of 
the ferrymen said to him : Morris, ye’d best 
watch sharply as ye go along home. It is re- 
ported that a party of Tories crossed below here 
not two hours ago. They used old A1 wood’s 
bateau and Brace Alwood is with them. They’re 
meaning no good to folks, I take it.” 

I thought all the Tories would be with the 
king’s men,” said the boy. I heard on the 
155 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


road that theyVe swore to march into Phila- 
delphia with the redcoats when the city is caj)- 
tured.’’ 

“ Well, Brace has got business of some kind 
over here — and it isn’t any good business, I’ll 
be bound. You’d better warn Jonas. They 
may come to the inn.” 

Hadley was somewhat troubled by this infor- 
mation. Brace Alwood had been a wild young 
man before the war broke out and had incurred 
the enmity of many of the neighbors. It was re- 
jDorted that since he had joined the British he 
had given full sway to his evil passions and that 
he was noted among the Tory hangers-on of the 
King’s troops for his cruelty and bitter enmity 
against the patriots. He had obtained some 
petty office in the army, and now, with others, 
perhaps as brutal as himself, had come into his 
own neighborhood for no good purpose. Surely 
if he had crossed the river merely to visit his 
father and mother, he would not have brought 
a troop with him. 

But Hadley saw nobody on the road until he 
came abreast of his uncle’s property. Then he 
did not see any man, but a light in a clump of 
trees some distance back from the horse- path, and 
156 - 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


in Miser Morris’s pasture, attracted liis attention. 
This was so strange a place for a fire (for a fire 
it was Hadley could tell by the intermittent 
leaping and fading of the light) that he could 
not go by without investigating, and after riding 
Black Molly a few rods beyond the grove in 
question, he dismounted, tied her to a fence rail, 
and crept over to reconnoitre. 

There was a campfire in the middle of the 
clump of trees. It was well hidden from the 
house and outbuildings and scarcely discernible 
from the highway. But when he got into the 
edge of the grove Hadley saw with surprise 
that although the fire was small, there was a 
good-sized company about the blaze. He 
counted eight heavily armed and roughly 
dressed men lying about the fire, but Brace 
Alwood, Lon’s older brother, was not among 
them. 

Now, why should these fellows be roosting 
here ?” thought the American youth, quite puz- 
zled. ‘‘Of course, they know that most. of our 
men are away now with the army, and have they 
really come over here to harass the unprotected 
homesteads ? If they have, and if they trouble 
the farmers’ wives, it will be too hot about here 
157 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 

for the Alwoods to stay when the men do come 
back.’’ 

A crackling in the bushes startled him, and 
he crouched lower. The Tories seemed so sure 
of their position that they did not keep a guard, 
and now two other figures came rapidly into the 
circle of the firelight, Hadley noticing that their 
approach was from the direction of his uncle’s 
house. An instant later he recognized Brace 
Alwood, the probable leader of this party of 
bushwhackers. He was grown much older 
looking since he had left home, and his bronzed 
face was covered by a tangled growth of beard. 
His companion he held by the arm, and Hadley 
saw that it was Alonzo. 

“ Here he is, boys,” declared Brace, with a 
laugh. He’s young, but he’s sharp — a reg- 
’lar fox for cunning. I found him watching 
the premises yonder, and he tells me every- 
body’s gone for the night and the old man is in 
the house. All we got to do is to wait an hour 
or so till things get thoroughly quieted down, 
and then make our call. Miser Morris’ll be 
glad to see us, eh ?” and the fellow laughed un- 
pleasantly. 


158 


CHAPTER XII 


HADLEY GETS BETTEK ACQUAINTED WITH 
COLONEL KNOWLES 

The words Brace Alwood uttered were enough 
to rivet Hadley to the spot, and almost within 
a long arm reach of the men lounging about the 
fire he crouched, and listened to the dialogue 
which followed. The reason stated by Brace 
for the presence of the Tories in this place nat- 
urally startled and horrified Ephraim Morris’s 
nephew. When the old man was well known 
to be a strong royalist, why should these fel- 
lows be plotting to attack him ? At once Had- 
ley was sure that they were after the money 
which rumor said Miser Morris kept concealed 
in his house. 

Remembering the incident of the night at his 
uncle’s house, Hadley doubted if the men would 
gain what they had hoped for; but Uncle 
Ephraim was old and alone, and there was no 
159 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


telling what these rough fellows might do to 
gain their ends. 

‘Wou’d better make sure the old man is 
alone, Alwood,” suggested one of the others, as 
Brace and his younger brother took seats in the 
circle around the fire. There used to be a boy 
with Miser Morris — his nevvy, was it? — who 
might make us trouble.’’ 

Brace Alwood laughed harshly. We ought 
to be a match for an old man and a boy, I 
reckon — though Lon, here, tells me Had is 
pretty sharp.” 

He made me and black Sam pole him across 
the river one night when he was carrying dis- 
patches to the army,” Lon admitted. An’ he 
pretty near broke my arm just before he left 
these parts last, too.” 

“ What army was he carrying dispatches 
to ?” demanded the first speaker. 

‘AVashington’s, of course.” 

“ But the old man is for the king, you say — 
worse luck !” 

“That doesn’t say the boy is,” Brace re- 
marked. “ He’s a perky lad, I reckon.” 

“ He may do us harm, then — in slipping 
away and rousin’ the farmers, I mean.” 

160 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


“ He’s with the army now,” said Lon. 

‘‘ And there’s nobody with the old man ?” 

“ Not a soul.” 

“Well, we’ll likely have an easy time of it. 
If he’s got as much as they say hid away in 
the house, this niglit’s work will pay us fine.” 

“And settle some old scores, too,” added 
Brace. “ Colonel Knowles will be revenged 
on the old scoundrel, I reckon.” 

“ Ah ! I remember what you told us,” said the 
first man, thoughtfully. “ His Honor is too 
loyal a man to appear in this matter though, I 
take it ?” 

Brace laughed shortly. “ No doubt — no 
doubt. He came here to get something out of 
Miser Morris ; but the old fox gives nothing 
away — not him !” 

Hadley had heard enough to assure him that 
the Tories were actually going to attack his 
uncle. Royalist though he was. With silent 
tread he crept away from the place, crossed the 
pasture to the road, and getting on Black 
Molly’s back, sent her flying toward the inn. 
He was fearful for his Uncle Ephriam’s safety, 
but it was useless for him to ride and warn the 
old man. He must arouse the farmers — or such 


161 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


of them as were at home — and bring a band to 
oppose the men with Brace Alwood. There 
would be some lack of enthusiasm, however, 
when it was learned that the Tory renegades 
were attacking one of their own kind ; it was a 
case of dog eat dog,^’ and most of the neigh- 
bors would scarce care if the old man was 
robbed. 

But Hadley rode swiftly toward the Three 
Oaks Inn, determined to raise a rescuing party 
at all hazard. It was evening, and the men 
usually centered there to hear the news and 
talk over the war and kindred topics, and the 
boy was quite confident of getting some help. 
Besides, what he had heard while lying hidden 
in the grove made him believe that Colonel 
Creston Knowles was partly the cause of this 
cowardly attack by the Tories upon Uncle 
Ephraim, and if the British officer was still at 
the inn, the boy determined that he should not 
go unpunished for instigating the crime. 

The American farmers about the inn had 
borne with the British officer more because he 
was Jonas Benson’s guest than aught else. Be- 
fore being sent by Lafe Holdness on the last 
errand to the army, Hadley knew that many of 
162 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the neighbors spoke threateningly of the Brit- 
ish officer, who apparently knew no fear even 
in an enemy’s country. If they should be 
stirred up now, after the disaster to the Ameri- 
can forces, when feeling would be sure to run 
high. Colonel Knowles would find himself in 
very dangerous quarters. For the moment 
Hadley did not think of the danger to Mistress 
Lillian. He was only anxious for his uncle’s 
safety, and enraged at Colonel Knowles for the 
part he believed the officer had in the plot to 
rob — and perhaps injure — the farmer. 

In an hour, so Brace Alwood said, they would 
attack the lonely homestead of the man whom 
the whole countryside believed to be a miser. 
Hadley had good reason to know that his uncle 
was possessed of much wealth, whether right- 
fully or not did not enter into the question now ; 
but the money was no longer in the house — of 
that he was confident. Enraged at not finding 
it, the Tories might seriously injure Ephraim 
Morris. With these tumultuous thoughts filling 
his brain, the boy rode into the inn yard, let 
Black Molly find her old stall herself, and was 
on the steps of the inn before those in the 
kitchen had time to open the door, aroused 

163 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 

though they had been by the rattle of the mare’s 
hoofs. 

It’s a courier I” cried some one. ‘‘ What’s 
the news ?” 

It’s that Hadley Morris !” exclamed Mis- 
tress Benson, showing little cordiality in her 
welcome. Jonas was not in evidence, and there 
were no other men in the kitchen. 

Where is Master Benson, madam ?” de- 
manded Hadley of the innkeeper’s wife. “ I 
want him to help me — and all other true men 
in the neighborhood. There is a party of 
Tories up the road yonder and they are going to 
attack Uncle Ephraim’s house and rob him this 
very night.” 

Tories !” gasped the maids. 

‘‘ King’s men !” exclaimed Mistress Benson. 
‘‘ And why should they wish to i^lague Master 
Morris, Hadley ? He is loyal.” 

“ That Brace Alwood is at their head. Tliey 
are bent on robbery. Nobody will be safe now, 
if they overrun the country. Where is Master 
Benson, I say ?” 

“ He is gone to Trenton,” declared one of the 
frightened women. ‘‘ There is no man here but 
Colonel Knowles’ servant.” 


164 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 

‘‘ Then he is here yet T cried the boy, and 
pushing through the group of women he en- 
tered the long hall which ran through the inn 
from the kitchen to the main entrance. His 
coming had evidently disturbed the guests. 
Colonel Knowles stood in the hall by the par- 
lor door, a candlestick held above his head that 
the light might be cast along the passage. His 
daughter, clinging to his sleeve, stood behind 
him. 

Whom have we here?^’ demanded the 
British officer. 

It is Hadley Morris, father exclaimed the 
girl, first to recognize the youth. 

Hadley approached without fear, for his in- 
dignation was boundless. It is I, Colonel 
Knowles,’’ he said, his voice quivering with 
anger. I have come back just in time to find 
that, unable to bring my uncle to such terms as 
you thought right, you have set Brace Alwood 
and his troup of villainous Tories upon the old 
man. But I tell you, sir, I will arouse the 
neighborhood, and if Uncle Ephraim is in- 
jured, you shall be held responsible!” 

The officer took a stride forward and seized 
the boy by the arm. He waved the crowd of 
165 


IVifh Washington at Valley Forge 


women back. Return to your work !” he com- 
manded. ‘‘Mistress Benson, call AVilliain.’’ 
Then he said to Hadley : “ Master Morris, step 
into the parlor here and tell me what you mean. 
I am in the dark.’^ 

Hadley began to think that perhaps he had 
been too hasty in his judgement. He stepped 
within the room. He did not speak to the offi- 
cer’s daughter, but she stared at him with wide 
open, wondering eyes. Then in a few sentences 
he told how he had discovered the plot against 
his uncle. 

“ Who are these Alwoods ?” demanded the 
Colonel, when he had finished. 

“ Alonzo Alwood is the boy who came here 
once to see you, father,” Lillian interposed, be- 
fore Hadley could reply. “ Ho you not re- 
member ? He told you that Master Morris was 
about to carry dispatches to Mr. Waslnngton 
again, and asked you to help stop him in his 
journey.” 

“Ah !” exclaimed Hadley. “ He did try to 
halt me. But your servant, sir, stopped him. 
Have I to thank — ?” 

“ Mistress Lillian, sir,” said the colonel, 
shortly, but a smile quivered about his mouth. 

166 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


“ I am in the enemy’s country, as you advised 
me once, Master Morris, and I would not be a 
party to the young man’s plan. So this Brace 
Alwood is his brother ?” 

Yes, sir.” 

And they^ connect my name with their raid 
upon that — that old man ?” 

They do, sir.” 

Then to prove to you. Master Morris, that 
I am not in their confidence, or they in mine, I 
will ride back with you.” At this instant the 
manservant entered. William, saddle my 
horse and one of the bays for yourself — in- 
stantly ! I will join you at once. Master Mor- 
ris. If you have other men in the neighborhood 
on whom you can depend in this emergency, 
arouse them.” 

Hadley, feeling that his impulsiveness had 
caused him to accuse Colonel Knowles wrong- 
fully, ran out again without a word. While 
William, as silent as ever, saddled the officer’s 
black charger and another animal for himself, 
the boy took the saddle off Black Molly and 
threw it upon one of the other horses in the 
stable. Then he clattered over to the nearest 
neighbor’s house and routed out the family. 

107 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


But the only men folk at home were two half 
grown boys, and when their mother learned that 
there were Tories in the neighborhood, she re- 
fused to allow them to leave her and the younger 
children. So he rode on to the next homestead 
and brought back with him to the inn but one 
man to join the party. Colonel Knowles and 
his servant were awaiting their coming in the 
road before the door of the Three Oaks. 

Lead on. Master Morris commanded the 
officer. You know the way by night better 
than 

“ But there are only four of us,’^ began Had- 
ley, doubtfully. 

“ We can wait for no more if what you have 
told me is true. They will be attacking the old 
man by now.’’ 

The quartette rode off at a gallop and little 
was said until they turned into the farm path 
which led through the pastures and fields to the 
Morris homestead. Then the neighbor was 
riding nearest Hadley’s side and he whispered : 
“ Hey, Morris, suppose this should be a trap ? 
Suppose the Britisher should be playing us 
false?” 

Hadley tapped the butt of the pistol beneath 
168 


IVUh Washington at Valley Forge 


his coat. “ Then he’ll get what’s in this first — 
and do you take William,” the boy whispered. 

But I do not believe Colonel Knowles will 
play us false. These Tory blackguards are 
nothing to him.” 

The ring of the horses’ hoofs announced their 
coming before they were within shot of the house 
around which the rascals under Brace Alwood 
had assembled. But no shots were fired, for 
Colonel Knowles was ahead and his mount was 
recognized by Lon in the light of the huge bon- 
fire which had been built in front of the farmer’s 
door. Part of the Tories were already inside 
the house, ransacking the dwelling from cellar to 
garret, while Ephraim was tied hard and fast to 
one of his own chairs and Brace Alwood, with 
cruel delight in the farmer’s terror, was threat- 
ening to hold the old man’s feet in the flames on 
the hearth if he did not divulge the hiding place 
of his gold. Colonel Knowles’ coming struck 
the entire party of marauders dumb. 

What are you doing here, you scoundrels?” 
exclaimed the officer, almost riding into the 
farmhouse in his rage, and laying about him 
with the riding whip he carried. 

The men shrank away in confusion. Even 
169 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Brace Alvvoocl, the bully, was cowed. The old 
miser’s got more money than is good for him,” 
whined Alwood. “ And his nephew is off with 
the rebels — ” 

“Sirrah!” exclaimed the Colonel, sharf)ly. 
“ Here is his nephew with me. And it matters 
not what his nephew may be, in any case ; the 
man himself is for King George, God bless 
him ! — or so I understand.” 

“ Yes, yes, master I” squealed the farmer from 
the chair where he was tied. “ I am for the 
king. I told these villains I was for the king. 
It is an outrage. I cannot help what my ras- 
cally nephew is — I am loyal.” 

“ And as for his money,” continued the Col- 
onel, savagely, “ you’d work hard and long 
before you got any of it — and what you got 
would likely not be his, but belong to those 
whom he has robbed !” At that Uncle Ephraim 
recognized his rescuer, and he relapsed into 
frightened silence. “ Come out of that house 
and go about your business !” commanded the 
officer. “ Let me not find any of you in this 
neighborhood in the morning ; and think not I 
shall forget this escapade. Your colonel shall 
hear of it, Alwood.” 


170 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Somebody released the farmer from his un- 
comfortable position, and he followed the bush- 
whackers to the door, bemoaning his fate. The 
men clattered out and evidently fearing the 
power of Colonel Knowles, hurried away toward 
the river. When Uncle Ephraim saw his wood- 
pile afire he rushed out and began pulling from 
the flames such sticks as had only been charred, 
or were burning at one end, all the time railing 
at the misfortune that had overtaken him. The 
neighbor looked on a minute and then said, 
brusquely : 

‘‘ I^ve little pity in my heart for such as you 
Neighbor Morris — a man that will take sides 
against his country.” 

‘‘ And IVe little pity for you, either,” Colonel 
Knowles declared, when the first speaker had 
ridden away, “ for you are a dishonest old 
villain !” 

He and William wheeled their horses and fol- 
lowed the bridle path back to the highway ; but 
Hadley, much troubled by what he had heard, 
remained to help put out the fire in the wood- 
pile. His uncle did not speak to him, how- 
ever, but when the last spark was quenched by 
the water the boy brought from the well, he 
171 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


went into the house and, fairly shutting the 
door in his nephew’s face, locked and barred it ! 

“ Well !” muttered Hadley, “ I don’t need 
a kick to follow that hint that my company’s 
not wanted,” and he rode back to the inn, 
feeling very sorrowful. Evidently his uncle 
was angry with him, but more than all else was 
he troubled by the words he had heard Colonel 
Knowles address to Ephraim Morris. The 
British officer had broadly intimated that the 
farmer was a thief! 

On his return to the inn he was so tired that 
he did not think of supper, and, instead of 
going into the house, tumbled into his couch in 
the loft and dropped to sleep almost instantly. 
The next morning Master Benson did not arrive 
and the mistress of the inn met Hadley with a 
very sour face and berated him well for the 
manner in whicli he had burst in upon her 
guests the night before. 

You are spending more than half your time 
with Washington’s ragamuffin army,” quoth 
she ; “ you’d better stay with them altogether. 
I cannot have my guests disturbed and troubled 
by such as you.” 

Hadley was inclined to take her berating 
172 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


good-naturedly, for he knew at heart that she 
was a kindly woman, and that, when Jonas was 
at home, she would not dare talk so. But she 
had really engaged a neighbor to perform his 
tasks, and learning that Jonas was not expected 
back for a week or more, Hadley saw that it 
was going to be very unpleasant for him in the 
neighborhood meanwhile. Even his uncle did 
not care for his company, and he could not eat 
the bread of idleness at the Three Oaks Inn. 
There were three or four men starting to join 
Washington's forces, and he determined to ac- 
company them, sorry now that he had returned 
at all. 

He did not feel at liberty to take one of the 
Bensons^ horses this time, and so started afoot for 
the vicinity of Philadelphia. The roads were 
full of refugee families, and, although he could 
not learn of any real battle having been fought, 
the country people had evidently lost all hope of 
Washington staying the advance of the British. 
Hadley and his comrades traveled briskly, 
reaching the vicinity of Warren’s Inn early 
on the morning of the 16 th, and joined General 
Wayne’s forces just as the downpour of rain, 
which spoiled the operations of that day, began. 

173 


CHAPTER XIII 

WITH MAD ANTHONY WAYNE 

On this 16th day of September the opposing 
forces — Howe’s army, led by Lord Cornwallis, 
and the Americans by Anthony Wayne — met in 
conflict near the Warren Inn. Since Brandywine, 
when, because of Sullivan’s defeat, Washington 
had been forced to retreat to Chester, the armies 
had been maneuvering on the Lancaster pike, 
but nothing more serious than skirmishes had 
resulted. But this conflict near the old inn was a 
close and sharp engagement, and it would have 
been general had not the rain which was falling 
become a veritable deluge. The arms and am- 
munition were rendered almost useless, and the 
Americans had to retreat again. 

Bitterly did Hadley Morris grieve as, through 
the mud and downpour, he trudged in the ranks 
of his countrymen. Somebody sought him out 
on the march. It was Captain Prentice, re- 

174 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


lieved for the time of his command because of 
his wound ; yet he had been near all day to 
encourage the men, and was able still to wield 
his sword. 

‘‘ Eh, boy, I knew you would come back 
he said, smiling. ‘‘ Your blood’s up and you’ll 
not sit at peace in the chimney-corner till this 
bloody war is settled one way or ’tother.” 

Hadley told him what had occurred at his 
uncle’s house, and at the inn where he worked. 
‘‘ You did right to come back to fight with us,” 
Prentice said. And you’ll see fighting enough 
with ‘ Mad Anthony.’ Where he goes there is 
fighting always — that is his business. And a 
braver or better general does not command on 
our side, despite the slanders that are told about 
him. Ah, Hadley, these adventurers and poli- 
ticians with His Excellency are what keep us 
back. They so fear to see a good man win that 
they will do all they can to ruin him. Why, 
do you know, they are trying to throw some of 
the blame for Sullivan’s blunder down there at 
Brandywine creek upon Anthony Wayne, al- 
though he fought with all the stubbornness a 
man ever displayed, and held off Knyphausen 
and his Hessians all day — until, in fact, he 
175 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


learned of the defeat in liis rear and that the 
rest of the army was retreating. 

“ We were too busy ourselves that day, Master 
Morris, to know much about what went on, ex- 
cepting directly in front of us,’’ Prentice con- 
tinued, with a smile. But now that the matter 
is history, — for history is being made rapidly 
these days, — we can get at the truth pretty easily. 
Colonel Cadwalader, who, by the way, has gone 
to Philadelphia to lookout for his private inter- 
ests, and several other officers, were discussing 
the Brandywine engagement yesterday. The 
Colonel, naturally, is a strong opponent of 
Sullivan and a warm adherent of General 
Wayne, for the former has too many political 
friends and the latter is a plain, out-and-out 
fighter. Wayne is a Pennsylvania man, you 
know ; has been a farmer over neai- Easton 
’most all his life — though they do say he trav- 
eled north once, surveying land. He is some- 
where about thirty-three years old now. 

He brought his own regiment into the army 
— the Fourth Pennsylvania,” continued the Cap- 
tain, getting away from the real matter under 
discussion, but holding Hadley’s attention never- 
theless: and he has been advanced to briga- 
176 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


(lier-general for conspicuous gallantry. They 
call him ‘ Mad Anthony/ and claim he is reck- 
less and thoughtless; but it’s a pity we haven’t 
more such mad men in the army. You have 
seen to-day how the troops love him and what 
they will do for him. This handful of muddy, 
half-starved creatures would charge the whole 
of Howe’s army if Anthony Wayne were at 
their head ! Did you get a glimpse of him to- 
day, Morris ?” 

Yes, sir. And I think him a fine figure of 
a man,” declared the boy, enthusiastically. 

He is that, indeed. A man of more force- 
ful facial expression I never saw, and his dark 
eyes are always sparkling — either in fun or with 
earnestness. Anthony Wayne is an ‘all or 
nothing’ man — he is never lukewarm, as are 
some of these fellows who have obtained their 
commissions from Congress. What if he does 
brag ? Why, Morris, if we’d done what he has, 
and were masters of the science of war as he is, 
we’d brag ourselves !” 

“ But why do they try to drag him into the 
trouble over the Brandywine defeat ?” queried 
the boy. 

“ Why ? Ask me why a mangy, homeless 
177 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


cur always snarls at the heels of a dog that is 
well bred? ’Tis always so. Jealousy is at the 
bottom of all these cabals and plots with which 
the army is troubled. Even His Excellency is 
not free from the arrows of their hate. And, 
as I tell you, Sullivan has too many political 
friends. They wish to attract attention from 
his mistakes to somebody else, and they fall 
upon General Wayne and call him reckless. 
Reckless, forsooth ! His fighting that day when 
he faced those Hessians was marvelous. 

‘‘ Nobody,” pursued Prentice, warmly, un- 
less it was His Excellency himself, realized how 
exceedingly well placed my Lord Howe’s troops 
were for defence on the left bank of the Brandy- 
wine. Greene selected our position — the posi- 
tion of the main army, I mean, at Chadd’s 
Ford — and it was well. Wayne was there. 
Sullivan, as the senior major-general, com- 
manded the left wing. AVayne’s line was three 
miles long, and the farthest crossing which he 
did not cover Sullivan was supposed to watch. 

“ You and I, Alorris, were too busy in our 
little corner to know these fitcts at that time. 
But it has all come out now, and just because a 
certain Major Spear either acted foolishly or 
178 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


was a coward, Sullivan’s flank was turned and 
the army routed.” 

What had Major Spear to do with it ?” 
asked Hadley, interested despite the mud and 
rain through which they continued to plod. 

I’ll explain. Early on the day of the battle 
— the eleventh, you know — Howe and Corn- 
wallis marched for the forks of the Brandy- 
wine, where there are easy fords. Evidently, 
they intended to do exactly what they did 
do — cross the river and march down on our 
side, doubling Sullivan’s wing back upon the 
main army. For a maneuver in broad daylight 
it was childish ; but it won because of this man 
Spear. 

‘‘ Colonel Bland had been ordered to cross at 
Jones’s Ford to And out what the British were 
about. He sent back word — there can be no 
doubt of this, although Sullivan’s friends have 
tried to deny it — that Cornwallis was surely 
marching for the upper crossings. His Excel- 
lency, learning of thk report, threw Wayne 
across the river to attack Grant and Knyphau- 
sen, while Sullivan and Greene were to engage 
the flanking column of the Britishers. Why, 
if things had gone right we’d have cut the two 
179 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


divisions of the enemy to pieces !’’ declared the 
Captain, bitterly. 

‘‘But it was not to be. A part of Wayne’s 
troops had already forded the river when this 
Major Spear, who had been reconnoitering in the 
direction of the forks, reported no sign of the 
enemy in that direction. What the matter was 
with the man I don’t know — nobody seems to 
know ; but Sullivan should have known whether 
he was to be trusted or not. The General, on 
his own responsibility, halted his column and 
sent word to His Excellency that the first re- 
port of the British movements was wrong — 
Cornwallis was not in the vicinity of the Brandy- 
wine Forks. Naturally this put the Commander- 
in-Chief out, and fearing a surprise he withdrew 
Wayne’s m.en from across the river. The Hes- 
sians followed, but they got no farther. Mad 
Anthony held them in check. 

“ While we were fighting so hard down there 
by Chadd’s Ford, Sullivan was doing nothing at 
all. About one o’clock, it seems, a man named 
Cheney rode into Sullivan’s division and re- 
ported that the British had crossed the river 
and had reached the Birmingham meeting- 
house. That was some distance then on Sulli- 


180 


PFith Washington at Valley Forge 


van’s right. But the general still stuck to his 
belief in Major Spear, and instead of sending 
out a scouting party put aside the report as val- 
ueless. 

This Squire Cheney is something of a man 
in his township — lives over Thornbury way, 
they tell me — and it angered him to be treated 
so superciliously by Sullivan. So what does he 
do but spur on to headquarters and inform 
General Washington himself. Tlie report could 
scarcely be believed by the Commander-in-Chief 
and his staff, and you cannot blame them. 
Everybody knew how much depended on the 
day’s action, and that Sullivan should make such 
a terrible blunder was past belief. 

“ Your friend. Colonel Cadwalader, told me 
about it afterward. ‘ If you doubt my word 
put me under arrest until you can ask Anthony 
Wayne or Persie Frazer if I am a man to be 
believed !’ said Cheney, getting red in the face. 
The staff — some of the young men, it seemed — 
had laughed at the queer figure the old fellow 
cut on his mare. ‘ I’d have you know that 
I have this day’s work as much at heart 
as any one of ye !’ quoth Cheney, and at that 
His Excellency ordered a change of face, and 
181 


IVifh Washington at Valley h^orge 


part of the army moved up to the support of 
Sullivan: 

‘Won know what happened after that. You 
saw the fugitives and the wounded when you 
rode to Philadelphia, Hadley. It was a sad 
day, and all because one man made a mistake, 
either foolishly or wilfully, and another man 
did not consider the fate of the first city in the 
land of sufficient importance to have every re- 
port brought to him corroborated. Sullivan 
must bear the brunt of this thing — as his men 
bore the brunt of the enemy’s charge — because 
he was in command at that end of the line. But 
they’re trying to make out that Anthony Wayne 
could have saved the day with his troops had he 
wished. They’d not talk so bold had they faced 
those bloody Hessians, as we did.” 

“ It seems awful that there should be friction 
in an army of patriots,” Hadley said, thought- 
fully. “ They are all patriotic — they all desire 
the freedom of the Colonies.” 

What some of them desire it would be hard 
to say,” declared Prentice, gloomily. “And 
we are not patriots until we win. AVe’re rebels 
now — and rebels we shall go down into history 
unless the great Jehovah Himself shall strike 
182 


PVaii Washington at Valley Forge 


for us and give us a lasting victory over the 
British. I tell you, boy, I am discouraged.’’ 

And it was a discouraged column of fifteen 
hundred men who marched that night to 
Tredyfrin, where Wayne had been ordered 
by the Cornmander-in -Chief ‘‘to watch the 
movements of the enemy, and when joined by 
Smallwood and the Maryland militia to cut off 
their baggage and hospital train.” 

On the 19th, after waiting in vain for Small- 
wood’s reinforcements, Wayne again crossed 
the river, and was, at Paoli, able to advance 
within half a mile of Howe’s encampment. 
He reported to General Washington that 
the enemy was then quietly washing and 
cooking. The British seemed to consider this 
advance on Philadelphia more in the light of a 
picnicing party than anything else. To his 
commander, however, - Wayne said that the 
enemy was too compactly massed to be openly 
attacked by his small force, and begged that 
the entire army might come to his aid and strike 
a heavy blow. But neither Smallwood’s brigade 
nor any other division of the American forces 
arrived to aid the little party at Paoli on that 
day nor the one following. 

183 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Scouts brought in the tale that Howe was 
about to take up his line of march, and so, as 
the night of the 20th drew near, AVayne deter- 
mined to attack in any case, reinforcements 
or not. The watchword that night in the 
American camp was Here we are and thei-e 
they go !”and the troops were eager to follow 
their beloved leader into the very heart of the 
British encampment. It was believed that the 
night attack was unsuspected by the British, but 
it proved later that vigilant Tories had wormed 
the information from somebody on AVayne’s 
staff and hastened with it to the British camp. 

So confident was AVayne that his plans were 
unsuspected,. that when informed by a friendly 
citizen between nine and ten in the evening that 
a boy of the neighborhood who had been in the 
British camp during the day had overheard a 
soldier say that “ An attack on the American 
party would be made during the night,” Mad 
Anthony would not credit it. It did not seem 
probable that if such an attack was being con- 
sidered by the British leaders, it would be com- 
mon camp talk. 

However, believing that surplus precaution 
would do no harm, he multiplied his pickets and 

184 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 

patrols, and ordered the troops to repose on 
their arms, and, as it was then raining, made 
the men put their ammunition under their coats. 
He was thus prepared to meet an attack or with- 
draw, as circumstances might direct. 

Ere this Captain Prentice had been sent to 
headquarters, almost by force, indeed, because 
his wound had become inflamed, and Hadley 
being simply a volunteer, was obliged to take 
pot-luck where he found it, and was even with- 
out a blanket, or pouch in which to carry his 
rations. He would have been more comfortable 
on picket duty that night, only volunteers were 
not trusted in such serious matters, and j^erhaps 
if he had been, the youth would not have gotten 
out of the terrible engagement alive. 

Somewhere about eleven o^clock rumor had 
it that the British were on the move. Wayne 
believed that the enemy would attack his right 
flank, and immediately ordered Colonel Hump- 
ton, his second in command, to wheel his line 
and move off by the road leading to the White 
Horse Inn. Meanwhile General Gray, in 
command of three British regiments and some 
dragoons with Tory guides, approached Paoli. 
The British were ordered to withhold their fire, 
185 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


and to depend altogether on the bayonet. At 
midnight, two hours before the time fixed for 
his own advance on Howe’s force, Wayne learned 
that his pickets had been surprised. 

Colonel Humpton had not obeyed, nor did 
he do so until the third order reached him. The 
artillery moved without loss or injury, but the 
remainder of the army was in confusion, and 
when charged by the British, the affair became 
almost a rout. An English officer who was 
present at the attack, afterward wrote : 

‘‘ It was a dreadful scene of havoc. The 
Americans were easily distinguished by the 
light of the camp fires as they fell into line, 
thus offering Gray’s men an advantage. The 
charge was furious, and all Wayne’s efforts to 
rally his men were useless. They were driven 
through the woods two miles, and nearly a 
hundred and seventy men were killed. It was 
that chance of war where one side did what the 
other hoped to do.” 

With those about him, inspired as they were 
with fear of the bayonet and confused by the 
darkness, Hadley Morris ran blindly through 
the woods to escape the death which followed 
him. The awful sabre-like bayonets of the 
186 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


British muskets he did escape ; but a half spent 
ball imbedded itself in the flesh of his leg above 
the knee and brought him at last to earth. The 
others streamed by and left him. He feared he 
would be captured and, perhaps, sent to the 
prison hulks in New York bay ; but both pur- 
sued and pursuer passed him by and he was 
saved in the darkness. 

He could not travel with the ball in his leg, 
and so he lay down again under some bushes, 
and despite the wound and his fright, dropped 
ofi* into slumber and slept just as soundly as he 
would had wnr and bloodshed been farthest 
from his thoughts ! 


187 


CHAPTER XIV 


THE OCCUPATION OF PHILADELPHIA 

The sun shining warmly upon his face 
through the rapidly drying bushes, which 
during the night had jmrtly sheltered him, 
was Hadley ^s first conscious feeling. Then 
he felt the dull pain in his leg where the 
spent ball had become imbedded, and he rolled 
over with a groan. The wood lay as peaceful 
and quiet under the rising sun as though such 
a thing as war did not exist. Here and there 
a branch had been splintered by a musket ball, 
or a bush had been trampled by the retreating 
Americans. But the rain had washed away all 
the brown spots from the grass and twigs, and 
the birds twittered gayly in the tree tops, for- 
getting the disturbing conflict of the night. 

The boy found when he tried to rise that his 
whole leg was numb and he could only drag it 
as he hobbled through the wood. To cover the 
few rods which lay between the place where he 
had slept and the road, occupied some minutes. 

188 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


The wound had bled freely and now the blood 
was caked over it, and every movement of the 
limb caused much pain. 

Where had his companions gone ? When the 
company rolls were called that morning there 
would be no inquiry for him, for he was not a 
regularly recruited man. He had been but a 
hanger-on of the brigade which was so disas- 
trously attacked during the night, and they 
would all forget him. Captain Prentice was far 
away, and Hadley had known nobody else well 
among Wayne’s troops. The fact of his loneli- 
ness, together with his wound and his hunger, 
fairly brought the tears to his eyes, great boy 
that he was ! But many a soldier who has 
fought all day with his face to the enemy has 
wept childish tears when left at night, wounded 
and alone, on the battlefield. 

However, one could not really despair on 
such a bright morning as this, and Hadley soon 
plucked up courage. He got out his pocket- 
knife, found a saj)ling with a crotched top, cut 
it off the proper length, and used it for a crutch. 
With this, and dragging his useless musket be- 
hind him, he hobbled up the road in a direction 
which he knew must bring him to the American 
189 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


lines, and eventually to Pliiladeli^hia. But such 
traveling was slow and toilsome work, and he 
was trembling all the time for fear he would fall 
in with the British. 

He had not been many minutes on the way, 
however, when a man stepped out of the bush 
beside the road, and barred his way. Hadley 
was frightened at first; then he recognized the 
man and shouted with delight. 

Lafe Holdness ! How ever did you come 
here ? 

‘‘ Jefers-j^elters exclaimed the Yankee 
scout. “ I reckon I might better ask yeou that 
question. Had. An^ wounded, too ! Was yeou 
with that brigade last night that got bam- 
boozled V' 

The British attacked us unexpectedly. Oh, 
Lafe! they charged right through our lines and 
bayonetted the men awfully 

I reckon. It’s war, boy — you ain’t playin’ 
mumblepeg.” Meanwhile the man had assisted 
Hadley to a seat on the bank, and with his own 
knife calmly ripped up the leg of Hadley’s 
trousers. ‘‘ Why, boy, you’ve got a ball in 
there — as sure as ye live !” 

‘‘ It hurts pretty bad, Lafe,” Hadley admitted, 

190 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


wincing when the scout touched the leg, which 
was now inflamed about the wound. 

There was a rill near by, and to this the scout 
hurried and brought back water in his cap. 
With the boy s handkerchief he washed the 
caked blood away and then, by skillful pressure 
of his fingers, found the exact location of the 
imbedded bullet. “ Oh, this ainT so bad,^’ he 
said cheerfully. ‘MVedl fix it all right in no 
time. But ye mustn’t do much walking for 
some days to come. Yeou can ride, though, and 
Fve got a boss nearby. First of all, I must git 
the ball out and wash the hole. Ye see, Had, 
the ball lies right under the skin on the back 
of the leg — so. D’ye see ?” 

‘‘ I can feel it all right,” groaned Hadley. 

Well, it’s a pity it didn’t go ’way through. 
Howsomever, if you’ll keep a stiff upper lip for 
a minute. I’ll git the critter out. ’Twon’t hurt 
much ter speak of. Swabbin’ out th’ hole, 
though, ’ll likely make ye jump.” 

He opened the knife again and, before Had- 
ley could object, had made a quick incision over 
the ball, and the lead pellet dropped out into 
his hand. The boy did not have a chance to 
cry out, it was done so quickly. ‘‘ So much for 
191 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


so much/^ said Lafe, in a business-like tone. 
“ Nothin’ like sarvin’ yer ’prenticesliip ter all 
sorts of trades. I ain’t no slouch of a surgeon, 
I calkerlate ! Now lemme git an alder twig.” 

He obtained the twig in question, brought 
more water, and then proceeded, after having 
removed the pith from the heart of the twig, to 
blow the cool water into the wound. Hadley 
cried out at this and begged him to desist, but 
Lafe said : ‘‘ Come, Had, yeou can stand a little 
pain now for the sake of being all right by and 
by, can’t yeou ? It’s better to be sure than 
sorry. P’r’aps there warn’t no cloth nor 
nothin’ got inter that wound, but ye can’t tell. 
One thing, there warn’t no artery cut or ye’d 
bled ter death lyin’ under them bushes all 
night. I ’spect many a poor chap did die in 
yander after the retreat. Anthony Wayne ’ll 
have ter answer fer that. They say he’s goin’ 
ter be court-martialed.” * 

* Seeking to exonerate himself, Colonel Huinpton preferred 
charges against Wayne to the effect that “Though Gen’l Wayne 
had timely notice of the enemy’s intention to attack the troops, 
he neglected making a disposition until it was too late either to 
annoy the enemy or to make a retreat without the utmost danger 
and confusion.” Wayne was tried by court-martial, but was 
found guiltless, the decision being that “ he did everything that 
could be expected from an able, brave, and vigilant officer.” 

192 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


Having cleaned the wound, Holdness bound 
it up tightly with strips torn from the boy’s 
cotton shirt, and then brought up the horse 
which he had hidden hard by. He helped the 
boy into the saddle and walked beside him until 
they were through the American picket lines. 
The wounded had been sent on to Philadelphia, 
for there were few conveniences for field hospi- 
tals. ‘‘You take that boss and ride inter Phil- 
adelphy. Had,” said Holdness. “ Leave it at 
the Queen and take yourself to this house ” — 
he gave the wounded lad a brief note scrawled 
on a bit of dirty paper — “ and the folks there’ll 
look out for ye till the hug’s well. I’ll git 
another boss somewhere else that’ll do jest as 
well. You -can’t go clean back to Jarsey with 
your leg in that shape.” 

It was a hard journey for the wounded youth, 
and before he crossed the Schuylkill and fol- 
lowed Chestnut Street (much different was his 
entrance to the city now from that of the even- 
ing of Brandywine) down into the heart of the 
town he was well nigh-spent. He fairly fell off 
the horse in front of the Indian Queen Tavern, 
and the hostler had to help him to the address 
which Holdness had given him. Here the 
193 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


good man and his wife — Quaker folk were they, 
who greatly abhorred the bloodshed of the war, 
yet were stanch supporters of the American 
cause — took the boy in and cared for him as 
though he was their own son. For a night and a 
day he kept to his bed ; but he could not stand 
it any longer than that. The surgeon who was 
called to attend him declared the wound had 
been treated very well, indeed, by the scout, and 
that it was healing nicely ; so what does Master 
Hadley do but hobble downstairs to the break- 
fast table on the second morning, determined 
no longer to cause the good Quakeress, Mistress 
Pye, the extra trouble of sending his breakfast 
up to him. 

He was anxious to hear the new§, too. Af- 
fairs were moving swiftly these days in 
Philadelphia. The uncertainty of what the 
next day might bring forth forced shops to 
close and almost all business to cease. The 
Whigs were leaving by hundreds ; even the 
men who held authoritative places in the 
council of the town had departed, fearful of 
what might happen when the redcoats marched 
in. And that Washington could keep them 
out for long, after the several reverses the 

194 


M^ith Washington at Valley Forge 


American troops had sustained, was not to be 
believed. 

A sense of portending calamity hung over 
the city like an invisible cloud. A third of the 
houses were shut and empty. Many of the 
others were occupied solely by servants or 
slaves, the families having flown to places of 
safety. Hadley did not get outside the door of 
the Pye house that day, for he was watched too 
closely. But early on the morning of the 26th 
the whole street was aroused by the swift dash 
of a horseman over the cobbles, and a cry fol- 
lowed the flying messenger : 

The British are coming 

The people ran out of their houses, never wait- 
ing for their breakfasts. Was the news true? 
Had the redcoats eluded the thin line of 
Americans that so long had stayed their ad- 
vance upon the town ? Soon the truth was con- 
firmed. Congress had adjourned to Lancaster. 
Howe had made a feint of marching on Read- 
ing, and when the Americans were thrown for- 
ward to protect that town the British had 
turned aside and were now within sight. They 
had surprised and overpowered a small detach- 
ment left to guard the approach to Philadel- 

195 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


phia and — the city was lost ! His Excellency 
was then at Skippack creek with the bulk of 
his army, and the city could hope for no help 
from him. 

Hadley, hobbling on a crutch, but too anx- 
ious and excited to remain longer indoors, soon 
reached Second Street. From Callowhill to 
Chestnut it was filled with old men and chil- 
dren. Scarcely a youth of his own age was to 
be seen, for the young men had gone into the 
army. It was a quiet but a terribly anxious 
crowd, and questions which went unanswered 
were whisjiered from man to man. Will 
the redcoats really march in to-day ? Will 
the helpless folk left in the city be treated 
as a conquered people? AVhy has Congress, 
spurred on by hot-heads, sanctioned this war 
at all ? Many who had been enthusiastic in 
the cause were lukewarm now. The occupa- 
tion of the town might mean the loss of their 
homes and the scattering of those whom they 
loved. 

Here and there a Tory strutted, unable to hide 
his delight at the turn affairs had taken. Sev- 
eral times little disturbances, occasioned by the 
overbearing manners of this gentry, arose, but 
196 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


as a whole the crowds were solemn and gloomy. 
At eleven o^clock a squadron of dragoons ap- 
peared and galloped along the street, scattering 
the crowd to right and left ; but it closed in 
again as soon as they were through, for far 
down the thoroughfare sounded the first strains 
of martial music. Then something glittered in 
the sunshine, and the people murmured and 
crowded into the roadway the better to see the 
head of the approaching army of their con- 
querors. 

A wave of red, steadily advancing — and 
tipped with a line of flashing steel bayonets 
was finally descried. In perfect unison the 
famous grenadiers came into view, their pointed 
red caps, fronted with silver, their white leather 
leggings and short scarlet coats, trimmed with 
blue, making an impressive display. Hadley, 
who had seen the nondescript farmer soldiery 
of the American army, sighed at this parade. 
How could General Washington expect to beat 
such men as these ? And then the boy re- 
membered how he had seen the same farmers 
standing off the trained British hosts at Brandy- 
wine, and later at the Warren Tavern, and he 
took heart. Training and dress and food and 
197 


Washington at Valley Forge 


good looks were not everything. Every man 
on the American side was fighting for his 
hearth, for his wife, for his children, and for 
everything he loved best on earth ! 

Behind the grenadiers rode a group of offi- 
cers, the first a stout man, with gray hair and a 
pleasant countenance, despite the squint in his 
eye. A whisper went through the silent crowd 
and reached Hadley’s ear : ‘‘ ’Tis Lord Corn- 
wallis himself ! ” Then there was a louder 
murmur — in some cases threatening in tone. 
Behind the ofiicers rode a party of Tories hated 
by every patriot in Philadelphia — the two 
Allens, Tench Coxe, Enoch Story, Joe Gallo- 
way. Never would they have dared return but 
under the protection of British muskets. 

Then followed the Fourth, Fortieth, and 
Fifty-fifth regiments, all in scarlet. Then 
Hadley saw a uniform he knew well — would 
never forget, indeed. He saw it Avhen Wayne 
held the tide of Knyphausen’s ranks back at 
Chadd’s Ford. Breeches of yellow leather, leg- 
gings of black, dark blue coats, and tall pointed 
hats of brass completed the unifoi'in of the hire- 
ling soldiery which, against their own desires 
and the desires of their countrymen, had been 
198 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


sent across the ocean by their prince to fight 
for the English king. A faint hiss arose from 
the crowd of spectators as the Hessians, with 
their fierce mustaches and scowling looks, 
marched by. 

Then there were more grenadiers, and cav- 
alry, artillery, wagons containing provisions, 
and the officers’ tents. The windows rattled to 
the rumbling wheels, and the women cowered be- 
hind the drawn blinds, peering out upon the 
ranks that, at the command of a ruler across 
the sea, who cared nothing for these Colonies 
but what could be made out of them, had come 
to shoot down and to enslave their own flesh 
and blood. 

Hadley could not get around very briskly, 
but he learned where some of the various regi- 
ments were quartered. The artillery was in the 
State House yard. Those wounded Continen- 
tals, who had lain in tlie long banqueting hall 
on the second floor of the State House, and who 
could not get away or be moved by their friends, 
would now learn what a British prison pen was 
like. Hadley shuddered to think how he had 
so nearly escaped a like fate, and was fearful 
still that something might happen to reveal to 
199 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


the enemy that lie, too, had taken up arms 
against the king. The Forty-second High- 
landers were drawn up in Chestnut Street 
below Third ; the Fifteenth Kegiment was on 
High Street. When ranks were broken in the 
afternoon the streets all over town were full 
of red- or blue-coated figures. 

Hadley hobbled back to the shelter of the 
Pye homestead and learned from the good 
Quaker where some of the officers had been 
quartered. Cornwallis was just around the 
corner, on Second Street, at Neighbor Reeves’ 
house; Knyphausen was at Henry Lisle’s, while 
the younger officers, including Lord Rawden, 
were scattered among the better houses of the 
town. A young Captain Andre (later Major 
Andre) was quartered in Dr. Franklin’s old 
house. The British had really come into the 
hotbed of the rebels,” and had made them- 
selves much at home. 


200 


CHAPTEE XV 


HADLEY IS CAST OFF BY UNCLE EPHRAIM 

The army of occupation brought in its train 
plenty of Tories and hangers-on besides the men 
named, though none who had been quite so 
prominent in affairs or were so greatly detested. 
It now behooved the good folk of pronounced 
Whig tendencies to walk circumspectly, for 
enemies lay in wait at every corner to hale 
them before the British commander and accuse 
them of traitorous conduct. Hadley Morris, 
therefore, although he did not expect to be rec- 
ognized by anybody in the town, resolved to get 
away as soon as his wound would allow. 

He could not resist, however, going out at 
sunset to observe the evening parade of the con- 
querors. There was something very fascinating 
for him in the long lines of brilliant uniforms 
and the glittering accoutrements. The British 
looked as though they had been simply march- 
201 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


ing through the country on a continual dress 
parade. How much different was the condition 
of even the uniformed Continentals ! 

To the strains of martial music the sun sank 
to rest, and as the streets grew dark the boister- 
ous mirth of the soldiery disturbed those of the 
inhabitants who, fearful still of some untoward 
act upon the part of the invaders, had retired be- 
hind the barred doors of their homes. In High 
Street and on the commons campfires were burn- 
ing, and Hadley wandered among them, watch- 
ing the soldiers cooking their evening meal. 
Most of the houses he passed were shut; but 
here and there was one wide open and brilliantly 
lighted. These were the domiciles where the 
officers were quartered, or else, being the abode 
of faithful ’’ Tories, the proprietors were cele- 
brating the coming of the king’s troops. 
Laughter and music came from these, and the 
Old Coffee House and the Indian Queen were 
riotous with parties of congratulation upon the 
occupation by the redcoats. 

As Hadley hobbled back to Master Pye’s, past 
the inn, he suddenly observed a familiar face 
in the crowd. A number of country bumpkins 
were mixing with the soldiery before the en- 
202 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


trance to the Indian Queen, and Hadley was 
positive he saw Lon Alwood. Whether the 
Tory youth had observed him or not, Hadley 
did not know; but the fact of Lon’s presence in 
the city caused him no little anxiety, and he hur- 
ried on to the Quaker’s abode. He wondered 
what had brought Lon up to Philadelphia — and 
just at this time of all others? 

Tlie best thing I can do is to get out of 
town as quick as circumstances will permit,” 
thought Hadley, and upon reaching Friend 
Pye’s he told the old Quaker how he had seen 
somebody who knew him in the city — a person 
who would leave no stone unturned to injure 
him if possible. 

We must send thee away, then, Hadley 
Morris,” declared the Quaker. '' Where wilt 
thou go with thy wounded leg ?” 

‘‘ I’ll go home. There isn’t anything for a 
wounded man to do about here, I reckon. But 
the leg won’t hobble me for long.” 

“ Nay, I hope not. I will see what can be 
done for thee in the morning.” 

Friend Jothan Pye was considered, even 
by his Tory neighbors, to be too close a man 
and too sharp a trader to have any real interest 
203 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


ill the patriot cause. He had even borne 
patiently from the Whigs much calumny, that 
he might, by so doing, be the better able to help 
the Colonies. Now that the British occupied 
the town, he might work secretly for the better- 
ment of the Americans and none be the wiser. 
He had already gone to the British officers and 
obtained a contract for the cartage of grain into 
the city for the army, and in two days it was 
arranged that Hadley should go out of town in 
one of Friend Bye’s empty wagons, and he did 
so safely, hidden under a great heap of empty 
grain sacks. In this way he traveled beyond 
Germantown and outside the British lines 
altogether. 

Then he found another teamster going across 
the river, and with him he journeyed until he 
was at the Mills, only six miles from Three Oaks 
Inn. Those last six miles he managed to hobble 
with only the assistance of his crutch, arriving 
at the hostlery just at evening. Jonas Benson 
had returned from Trenton and the boy was 
warmly welcomed by him. Indeed, that night 
in the public room, Hadley was the most im- 
portant person present. The neighbors flocked 
in to hear him tell of the Paoli attack and of 


204 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the occupation of Philadelphia, and he felt like 
a veteran. 

But he could not help seeing that Mistress 
Benson was much put out with him. As time 
passed the innkeeper’s wife grew more and more 
bitter against the Colonists. She had been born 
in England, and the presence of Colonel 
Knowles and his daughter at the inn seemed to 
have fired her smoldering belief in the divine 
right ” ; and had particularly stirred her ire 
against the Americans. 

‘‘ I’m sleep! n’ in the garret myself. Had,” 
groaned Jonas, in an aside to the boy. I can’t 
stand her tongue when she gets abed o’ nights. 
I’m hopin’ this war’ll end before long, for it’s a 
severin’ man and wife — an’ spilin’ business, 
into the bargain ! She’s complainin’ about me 
keepin’ your place for ye. Had, so I’ve got 
Anson Driggs for stable boy. And, of course, 
she won’t let me pay Miser Morris your wage 
no more. I didn’t know but she’d come down 
from her high bosses when them Knowleses 
went away, but she’s worse’n ever !” 

Have the Colonel and Mistress Lillian 
gone ?” 

They have, indeed — bad luck to them ! — 

205 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


though I’ve no fault to find with the girl ; she 
was prettily spoken enough. But the Colonel 
has been recalled to his command, I under- 
stand. His business with your uncle came to 
naught, I reckon. D’ye know what it was. 
Had ?” 

Hadley, shook his head gloomily. ‘‘No. 
Uncle would tell me nothing. But the Colonel 
seemed very bitter against him.” 

“ And what d’ye think of doing ?” 

“ I’m not fit for anything until this Avouiid 
heals completely. I can’t walk much for some 
time yet. But I’ll go over and see Uncle in the 
morning.” 

“ Bide Molly over. There’s no need o’ your 
walking about here. And come back here to 
sleep. Likely Miser Morris will be none too 
glad to see ye. Your bed’s in the loft same’s 
us’al. Anson goes home at night. The place 
is dead, anyway. If this war doesn’t end soon 
I might as well burn the old house down — 
there’s no money to be gotten by keeping it 
open.” 

On the morrow Hadley climbed upon Black 
Molly and rode over to the Morris homestead. 
Most of the farmers in the neighborhood had 
206 


py^ith Washington at Valley Forge 

harvested their grain by this time. The corn 
was shocked and the pumpkins gleamed in 
golden contrast to the brown earth and stubble. 
In some fields he saw women and children at 
work, the men being away with the army. The 
sight was an encouraging one. Despite the mis- 
fortunes and reverses of General Washington's 
army, this showed that the common people were 
still faithful to the cause of liberty. 

News, too, of an encouraging nature had 
come from the north. The battle of Benning- 
ton and the first battle of Stillwater had been 
fought. The army of Burgoyne, which was 
supposed to be unconquerable, liad been halted, 
and, even with the aid of Indians and Tories, 
the British commander could not get past Gen- 
eral Gates. News traveled slowly in those 
days, but a pretty correct account had dribbled 
through the country sections; and there was 
still some hope of AVashington's striking a deci- 
sive blow himself before winter set in. 

The signs of plenty in the fields as he rode 
on encouraged Hadley Morris, who had seen, 
of late, so many things to discourage his hope 
in the ultimate success of the American arms. 
When he reached his uncle's grain fields he 
207 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


found that they, too, had been reaped, and so 
clean that there was not a beggar^s gleaning 
left among the stubble. He rode on to the 
house, thinking how much good the store of 
grain Ephraim Morris had gathered might do 
the patriot troops, were Uncle Ephraim only 
of his way of thinking. 

As he approached the house the watchdog 
began barking violently, and not until he had 
laboriously dismounted before the stable door 
did the brute recognize him. Then it ran up 
to the boy, whining and licking his hand ; but 
as Uncle Ephraim appeared the dog backed off 
and began to bark again, as though it were not, 
after all, quite sure whether to greet the boy 
as a friend or an enemy. Evidently the old 
farmer had been in like quandary, for he bore 
a long squirrel rifle in the hollow of his arm 
and his brows met in a black scowl when his 
gaze rested on his nephew’s face. 

Well, what want ye here?” he demanded. 

Why, Uncle, I have come to see you — ” 

“ I’m no uncle of yours — ye runaway rebel !” 
exclaimed the old man, harshly. “ What’s this 
I hear from Jonas Benson? He says ye are 
not at his inn and that he’ll no longer pay me 
208 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the wages he promised. If that doesn^t make 
you out a runaway ^prentice then what does it 
mean T 

‘‘ Why, you know Mistress Benson is very 
violent for the king just now — ’’ 

‘‘ Ha exclaimed the farmer. ‘‘ I didn’t 
know she had the sense to be. It’s too bad she 
doesn’t get a little of it into Jonas.” 

“ Well, she doesn’t want me around. And 
Jonas can’t pay two of us.” 

‘‘ She wouldn’t have turned ye off if ye’d 
stayed where ye belonged, Hadley Morris. Oh, 
I know ye — and I know what ye’ve been doing 
of late,” cried the farmer. Ha ! Lame, air 
ye? M^liat’s that from?” 

“ I got a ball in my leg — ” 

I warrant. Crippling yourself, too. Been 
fighting with the ‘ragamuffin reg’lars,’ hey? 
An’ sarve ye right — sarve ye right, I say.” 
The old man scowled still more fiercely. “And 
now that you’ve got licked ye come back home 
like a cur with its tail ’twixt its legs, arskin ter 
be taken in — hey ? I know your breed.” 

“ If you don’t want me here I can go away 
again,” Hadley said, quietly. 

“What would I want ye for? You’re a 
209 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


lazy good-for-nothing — tliat^s what ye air ! 
There^s naught for ye to do about the farm this 
time o’ year — an’ crippled, too. Ye’d never 
come back to me if that ball hadn’t hit ye. 
Ye’d stayed on with that Mr. Washington ye’re 
so fond of talking about. Ha! I’m done with 
ye! Ye’ve been naught but an expense and a 
trouble since your mother brought ye here — 
and she was an expense, too. I’m a j^oor man ; 
I can’t have folks hangin’ ter the tail o’ my 
coat. Your mother — ” 

Suppose Ave let that drop, sir,” interrupted 
Hadley, firmly, and his eyes flashed. Every- 
body in this neighborhood knows what my 
mother was. They know that she worked her- 
self into her grave in this house. And if she 
hadn’t begged me to stay here as long as I 
could be of any use to you I’d never stood your 
ill treatment as long as I did. And now,” 
cried the youth, growing angrier as he thought 
of the slurring tone his uncle had used in 
speaking of the dead woman, ‘‘ it lies with you 
whether you break with your last relative on 
earth or not. I will stand abuse myself, and 
hard work ; but you sha’n’t speak one word 
against mother !” 


210 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Hoity-toity !” exclaimed the old man. “ The 
young cock is crowing, heh ! Who are you that 
tells me what I should do or shouldn’t do?” 
Hadley was silent. He was sorry now that he 
had spoken so warmly. Seems to me, Mas- 
ter Hadley, for a beggar ye talk pretty uppishly 
— that’s it, uppishly ! And you are a beggar — 
ye’ve got nothing and ye never will have any- 
thing. I’ll find some other disposal to make of 
my farm here — ” 

‘‘ I’m not looking for dead men’s shoes !” 
flashed out the youth again. ‘‘ You’ve had my 
time, and you’ve a right to it for three years 
longer. If you want to hire me out as soon as 
my wound is well you can do so. I haven’t re- 
fused to work for you.” 

Yah !” snarled the old man. “ Who wants 
to hire a boy at this time of the year ? The 
country’s ruined as it is — jest ruined. There’s 
no business. I tell you that you’re an expense, 
and I’d ruther have your room than your com- 
pany !” 

Hadley turned swiftly. He had clung to 
Black Molly’s bridle. Now he climbed upon 
the horse block, and, in spite of his wound, 
fairly flung himself into the saddle. ‘‘ You’ve 
211 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


told me to go, Uncle Ephraim he exclaimed, 
with flaming cheeks. “ You don’t have to tell 
me twice,” and, pounding his heels into the 
mare’s sides, he set off at a gallop along the 
path and in a moment was out of sight of the 
angry farmer. 

There was bitterness in the boy’s heart and 
angry tears in his eyes as Black Molly fled 
across the pastures and out upon the highway. 
Hadley Morris did not really love his uncle. 
There was nothing lovable about Miser Morris. 
The boy had been misjudged and his mother 
spoken ill of — and that fact he could not forget. 
He had tried for a year and a half to keep from 
a final disagreement with Uncle Ephraim, but 
to no avail. The old man did not consider 
Hadley old enough to judge for himself, or to 
have any opinions of his own. The times were 
such that children grew to youth and young 
men to manhood very rapidly. When the 
fathers went to the war the sons became the 
providers and defenders of the household ; if 
the fathers did not go, the sons were in the 
ranks themselves. Questions were not asked 
regarding age by the recruiting officers, provid- 
ing a youth looked hearty and was able to carry 
212 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


a musket. And Hadley felt himself a man 
grown in experience, if not in years, after the 
exciting incidents of the past few weeks. 

I am able to judge for myself in some 
things,” he told himself, pulling Molly down to 
a walk so as to ease his leg. If uncle would 
accept the fact that I have a right to my own 
opinion, as he has a right to his, we never would 
have quarreled. Td never gone over to the 
Three Oaks to work. And then I’d never seen 
any active service, I s’pose. He’s got only him- 
self to thank for it, if he did not want me to join 
the army. 

But now I reckon there isn’t anything left 
for me to do but that. Jonas can’t have me and 
keep peace in the family ; and I wouldn’t stay 
after the way Mistress Benson talked last night 
— no indeed ! I’ll go to some of the neighbors. 
They’ll give me a bite to eat and a place to 
sleep till my leg gets well enough for me to 
walk. Then I’ll go back to the army.” 

He so decided ; but when Jonas heard his 
plan he vetoed it at once. ‘‘What, Had !” cried 
the old innkeeper, “ d’ye think I’ll let a nagging 
woman drive you away from here to the neigh- 
bors? Nay, nay! I’m master here yet, and 
213 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


she is not really so bad, Had. She doesn’t be- 
grudge ye the bite and sup. Stay till your leg 
is well.” 

“ But I shall not feel comfortable as long as 
I stay, Jonas,” declared the boy. 

‘‘And how long will that be? Your leg is 
mending famously. If you could but ride ye’d 
be fit to go into battle again now ! Ah, lad, I’m 
proud of you — and glad that it was part through 
me ye went to the wars. I can’t go myself ; but 
I can give of what I have, and if the Mistress 
does not like it she can scold — ’twill make her 
feel better, I suppose.” Then he looked at 
Hadley curiously. “ You’re anxious to get 
back to General AVashington again, eh, lad?” 

“ I wish I had hunted up Captain Prentice, 
or Colonel Cadwalader, when I got out of 
Philadelphia, instead of coming over here,” ad- 
mitted the youth. 

“Then start back now,” Jonas said. “ Bide 
the mare— she knows ye and ye’ll get back in 
time to be of some use, mayhap, for I heard this 
morning that there’s a chance of another battle 
in a day or two.” 

“ Take Molly, sir ?” cried the astonished 
boy. 


214 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


“ Yes. Most of my horses have already 
gone to the cause. I’ve got a packet of scrip 
as they call it, for ’em, but it’s little worth the 
stuff is now, and perhaps it will never be 
redeemed. But I’m a poor sort of fellow if I 
mind that. You take the mare. I know if 
you both live you’ll come back here. And if 
the mare is killed — ” 

The innkeeper stopped, for his voice had 
broken. He was looking hard at the boy’s 
flushed face, and now he reached up and 
gripped Hadley’s hand with sudden warmth. 
The youth knew that it was not the thought of 
the possible loss of Black Molly that had 
choked the worthy innkeeper, but the fear that 
perhaps her rider would never come back 
again. 

I’ll take her, Jonas — and thank you. I’ll 
be happier — better content, at least — away from 
here. Uncle doesn’t want me, nor does he 
need me ; and certainly Mistress Benson doesn’t 
wish me about the inn. So I’ll take Molly, and 
if all comes well you shall have her back safe 
and sound.” 

'' That’s all right — that’s all right. Had !” 
exclaimed the other, quickly. Look out when 
215 


IVitk Washington at Valley Forge 


them army smiths shoe her. She’s got just the 
suspicion of a corn on that nigh fore foot, ye 
know. And take care of yourself, Had !” 

He wrung Hadley’s hand again, and the boy 
pulled the little mare around. There was noth- 
ing more to be said ; there was nothing to keep 
him back. So Hadley Morris rode away to 
join Washington’s forces, which then lay idle 
near the beleaguered city. 


216 


CHAPTEE XVI 


FROM GERMANTOWN TO VALLEY FORGE 

Hadley slept that night at a friendly farm- 
er’s, some miles to the north of Germantown. A 
large force of British were quartered about 
where Washington’s army lay the first day the 
boy had crossed the river and made his way to 
the Commander-in-Chief’s headquarters with 
the dispatches so nearly lost by the wounded 
courier. As far as he could learn the Ameri- 
cans still rested at Skippack Creek, to which 
locality they had retired after the enemy entered 
Philadelphia. 

He made a long detour the next morning to 
avoid the Germantown outposts, but fell in with 
a foraging party of Continentals before noon, 
and was near to losing his horse. But he was not 
so afraid of these marauders now as he had been 
the night he was halted on the Germantown 
road and his dispatches seized. So after an 
217 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


argument with these fellows and the mention of 
Colonel Cadwalader’s name, he got away with 
directions regarding the shortest path to head- 
quarters. He was halted a good many times 
before he found the Pennsylvania troops, but 
the pickets saw that he was a recruit and let him 
through without trouble. 

He found John Cadwalader with General 
Wayne, and was able to obtain speech with him 
without dismounting from his horse, as the 
officers were about starting on a tour of inspec- 
tion through the camp. “ And you want to see 
more fighting, do you, my lad — and your wound 
not healed yet ?” said the Colonel. “ What good 
d^ye think a wounded man will be to us V'' 

But I’m all right on horseback, and I’ve 
brought my horse,” Hadley declared. 

I wish we had more such fellows — and as 
eager to fight. Colonel,” said General AVayne. 
“ He’s but a boy, too.” 

And how about the promise to your 
mother. Master Morris ?” queried the other 
officer. 

My uncle has cast me off for carrying dis- 
patches, and for being in the Paoli fight, where 
I got wounded,” the boy said, sadly. ‘‘ I can 
218 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


do nothing for him now. So I have come to do 
what I can.’’ 

Well, well. I will speak to His Excellency 
about you. There is a certain long-legged 
Yankee hereabout who, if I mistake not, has 
been inquiring for you through the camp.” 

Lafe Holdness !” exclaimed Hadley. 

‘‘ The same. He said he knew you had 
gotten away from Philadelphia, but where you 
had gone was another matter, and one of which 
he was not cognizant. Now, Master Morris, you 
will find your friend. Captain Prentice, some- 
where to the west of here. Keep near him and 
then you will be near me. When the propi- 
tious moment comes to present you to the 
Commander-in-Cliief, I shall want you in a 
hurry.” 

The officers rode on and Hadley sought out 
Captain Prentice. My faith, Hadley !” was the 
captain’s exclamation, but we’re a pretty pair 
of winged birds.” His own arm was still in a 
sling, but he had taken active command of his 
company again. 

*‘You can scarcely call me winged,” said 
Hadley, for the ball went through my leg.” 
He climbed down from the mare and allowed a 


219 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


soldier to take her away. He could scarcely 
walk, having been so many hours in the 
saddle, but Captain Prentice made him wel- 
come and saw to it that he liad a bed for a 
few hours, where he slept away much of his 
weariness. 

At this time Washington’s forces lay about 
twenty miles from Philadelphia and fourteen 
from Germantown. For some days the Conti- 
nentals had been resting after the arduous cam- 
paign which had followed the landing of the 
British troops. The officers were planning 
some important move, but the army was kept in 
ignorance of its nature until the night of the 
third of October. Then the columns were put 
into motion quickly and took the road to Ger- 
mantown. It was to be a night march to sur- 
prise the enemy, and never did Hadley Morris 
forget it. He and his friend, Captain Prentice, 
were both mounted — the latter on a sorry nag 
which his orderly had picked up somewhere — 
and there might have been some ill feeling ex- 
pressed among the other officers of the infantry 
over Prentice’s riding had he not been wounded. 
But those fourteen miles were hard enough for 
both the captain and Hadley, despite the fact 
220 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


that they were not obliged to tramp through the 
heavy roads. 

Before the head of the column was half way 
to Germantown the night fog began to gather, 
and before daylight it was so thick that it was 
almost impossible to clearly distinguish figures 
moving a rod ahead. Just at daybreak, how- 
ev^er, despite the fog which had enveloped the 
whole territory, sharp firing broke out ahead. 
The troops were rushed forward, and the British, 
who at first had supposed the firing to be but a 
skirmish between outposts, were quickly being 
driven back by a solid phalanx of Ameri- 
cans. 

After the first surprise the enemy formed and 
stood their ground, but the attack of the Amer- 
icans was so desperate that they would surely 
have been overwhelmed in a short time had it 
not been for two things. Howe, hearing early 
of the battle, rushed forward reinforcements and 
came in person to encourage his soldiery. And 
the other thing which stayed the Americans, 
besides the smother of fog, was the imposing 
mansion belonging to Master Chew, which, oc- 
cupied by the British, was a veritable fort, and 
withstood every effort of the attacking force. 

221 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


It was a stone building, and with its doors and 
windows barricaded and a strong force of the 
enemy using the upper casements to fire from, 
it soon became the pivotal point on the battle- 
field. The British kei^t up a destructive fire 
upon the American lines from the house, and, 
in spite of the fog, the casualties were consid- 
erable. Attempts again and again were made 
to capture it. The American lines could not go 
past, and it guarded the way to the British 
front. 

And, with the long delay occasioned by the 
obstinate defense of the Chew house, the ele- 
ments themselves seemed to be arrayed against 
the Americans. The fog became so dense that 
the men could not see each other a few paces 
apart, and only the spurts of red flame ahead 
betrayed the whereabouts of the enemy. The 
Continental troops grew bewildered ; aides were 
unable to find the officers to whom they were 
sent with messages from the commanders. There 
were shoutings and reiterated commands in the 
fog, but the files did not know where their offi- 
cers stood and became bewildered and unman- 
ageable. 

General Washington’s plans were disar- 
222 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


ranged. The Americans had fought bravely, 
and, without doubt, were on the eve of a de- 
cisive victory. But an alarm was created — the 
tramp of a regiment of American troops brought 
up from the rear was thouglit to be the ap- 
proach of a flanking force — and the men who 
had fought so tenaciously during the day re- 
treated in disorderly confusion. 

Added to the general depression caused by 
this defeat was the fact that half the Maryland 
militia was reported to have deserted before 
the battle. It was the beginning of that awful 
winter when naught but the extraordinary 
virtues of George Washington himself kept the 
semblance of an army together. The American 
forces were rapidly becoming a disorganized 
mob, and the fault lay with Congress, which 
numbered in its group few of the really great 
and unselfish men who had once met in Phila- 
delphia to approve of and sign the second 
greatest document in our history. 

The period had now arrived when men of the 
second rank had come to the front in charge of 
the uncertain affairs of tlie struggling colonies. 
Dr. Franklin was in Paris, and John Adams 
joined him during the winter for the purpose 
223 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


of watching Silas Deane, who was a bitter foe 
of Washington, and had sent over the infamous 
Conway to hamper and embitter the great 
inan^s very existence. Jay, Rutledge, Living- 
ston, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jeffejson 
were employed at home, and Hancock had re- 
signed from the governing House. Samuel 
Adams was at home in New England for most 
of that winter, and men much the inferior of 
these had taken their places — men who lacked 
foresight and that loftiness of purpose and love 
of country which had, earlier in the war, kept 
private jealousies and quarrels in check. 

Without an organized quartermaster’s de- 
partment the soldiers could not be properly 
clothed or fed, and the warnings of Washington 
were utterly disregarded by Congress. The 
troops began to need clothing soon after Brandy- 
wine, and by November they were still in un- 
sheltered camps without sufficient clothing, 
blankets, or tents. Hadley Morris, suffering 
with the rank and file, saw them lying out all 
night at Whitemarsh, half clad and without 
protection from either the frozen gi'ound or the 
desperate chill of the night air. Forts Mercer 
and Miffiin had fallen, and there was little cheer 
224 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


brought to these poor fellows by the news that 
Biirgoyne had actually surrendered to General 
Gates and that the British army of invasion 
which had started so confidently from Canada 
was utterly crushed. 

December came and snow followed frost. 
The British were snug and warm in the rebel 
capital.^’ Well fed, well clothed, spending the 
time in idleness and amusement, the invaders 
were secure of any attack from the starving, 
half-clothed men who, with AVashington at 
their head, crawled slowly over the Chester 
hills toward the little hollow on the bank of 
the Schuylkill. There was gold in plenty at 
the command of General Howe, and for this 
gold the farmers about Philadelphia were glad 
to sell their grain. And who can blame them 
for preferring the good English gold to the 
badly printed, worthless currency issued by the 
American Congress? 

The ten redoubts from Fairmount to Cohock- 
sink were stout and well manned. There was 
little danger of the Continentals attacking 
them, for the hills were already whitening with 
the coverlet of winter. The river was open, 
supplies and reinforcements were on the way 
225 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


from across the ocean, and the British had 
nothing to fear. So they gave themselves up to 
ease and merriment. And, fortunate for the 
cause then trembling in the balance, that they 
did so, for had they then conducted the cam- 
paign against Washington's starving troops 
with vigor the rebellion ’’ would never have 
risen in history to the dignity of a revolu- 
tion I 


226 


CHAPTER XVII 

A PERILOUS MISSION 

To-day, after the passing of a century and 
a quarter, the Chester hills are much as they 
were on that chill winter’s day when the strag- 
gling lines of ragged, almost barefooted men 
marched along the old Gulph road. It is a 
farming country still, and although the forest 
has been cut away, in places the woodland is 
now as thickly grown as then. Here and there 
along the route the admiring descendants of 
those faithful patriots have erected monuments 
to their name ; yonder can still faintly be de- 
fined the outlines of the Star redoubt; there 
stands the house which was the headquarters 
of General Varnum, who commanded the 
Rhode Island troops; to the left of the road, as 
one travels toward Valley Forge, is the line 
of breastworks running through the timber 
which has been felled and grown up thrice 
227 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


since the axes of the Continentals rang from 
hill to hill. 

One night they rested on the toilsome march 
near the old Gulph mills, where the road passed 
through the deep cut between wooded heights ; 
then on again, the various brigades separating 
and following different roads to the places as- 
signed them. But the roads were, many of 
them, ill defined, the timber was thick, the 
fields rugged. Little wonder that Baron de 
Kalb described the site chosen for the winter 
quarters of the American army as a wilderness ! 

Nevertheless the situation selected for the en- 
campment was a good one. In some of the towns, 
perhaps, — Trenton, Lancaster, Beading, or Wil- 
mington, — there would have been shelter for the 
troops; but there were many objections to each 
place named. Had clothing and supplies been 
abundant, the little army might have harassed 
the British all winter long and even shut them 
up completely in Philadelphia when the spring 
opened. If the officers quarreled with the 
commander for his obstinacy in choosing this 
position, the men set to in some cheerfulness to 
build shelters. They were not afraid of hard 
work, and they had suffered enough already 
228 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


from the cold and storms to appreciate the log 
cabins which went up as if by magic on hillside 
and in hollow. 

On the bank of Valley Creek, near its 
junction with the Schuylkill, stood a stone 
building (as it stands to-day) of two small, low- 
ceiled rooms on each of its two floors. Behind 
it was a ‘dean-to’’ kitchen in the floor of which 
was a trap which was the entrance to a secret 
passage which, when the house had been erected, 
led to the river, being a means of escape should 
the stone house be attacked by Indians. When 
Washington selected this house for his head- 
quarters at Valley Forge the secret passage had 
long since been walled up and the entrance 
chamber was simply a prosaic potato cellar. The 
house itself was meagrely furnished — not at all 
the sort of a headquarters that Lord Howe en- 
joyed in Philadelphia. 

Some distance up the creek, beyond the forge 
which lent its name to the valley, were the head- 
quarters of big Major-General Henry Knox, of 
the artillery, and near him was the young 
French Marquis La Fayette, but then recover- 
ing from the wound received at the battle 
of the Brandywine — also a Major General and 

229 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


trusted and loved by the Comniander-iii-Chief 
to a degree only equaled by the latter’s feeling 
for Colonel Pickering. General Woodford, of 
Virginia, who commanded the right of the line, 
was quartered at a house in the neighborhood of 
Knox and Lafayette. 

Up on the Gulph road the southern troops, 
lying nearest to Washington’s headquarters, 
were commanded by that Southern-Scotsman, 
Lachlin McIntosh, and s-trung along within 
sight of the road were Huntingdon’s Con- 
necticut militia, Conway’s Pennsylvania troops, 
Varnum’s Rhode Islanders, and Muhlenberg, 
Weeden, Patterson, Learned, Glover, Poor, 
Wayne, and Scott on the extreme front of the 
embattled camp. Hadley Morris, still with 
Wayne’s division, messed with Captain Pren- 
tice, but found himself often attached to “ Mad 
Anthony’s” personal staff in the ca2)acity of 
messenger, for the Quaker general occupied a 
house in a most exposed quarter, some distance 
beyond the line of defences, and was in con- 
stant communication with the Commander-in- 
Chief. 

Hadley, indeed, scarce knew whom he served. 
At first his wound had incapacitated him from 
230 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


participating in mucli of the work which fell to 
the lot of the rank and file, and as he rode one 
of the fleetest horses in the American camp he 
came to be looked upon as a sort of volunteer 
aide, for he had never been regularly mustered 
into the service. He often saw Lafe Holdness 
in the camp and was not surprised, therefore, 
one day, when he had been sent post-haste to 
General Washington with some papers from 
Wayne, to find the Yankee in the front room 
of the Potts cottage in close conversation with 
His Excellency. 

Hadley never entered the presence of the 
great man without in a measure feeling that 
sense of Washington’s superiority which he 
had experienced when first he saw him, and he 
stood at one side now, ill at ease, waiting for a 
chance to deliver his packet. The Commander 
had a way of seeing and recognizing those who 
entered the room without appearing to do so — 
if he were busily engaged at the time — and 
suddenly wheeling in his chair and pointing to 
the boy, said in a tone that made Hadley 
start : 

‘‘Is this the young man you want. Master 
Holdness?” 


231 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


“ I reckon lie’ll do, Giu’ral — if he can be 
spared,” Lafe replied, with the usual queer 
twist to his thin lips. He’s gettin’ more im- 
portant around here than a major-gin ’ral, I 
hear ; but ef things won’t go quite ter rack an’ 
ruin without him for a few days, I guess I’ll 
take him with me on this little ja’nt.” 

Hadley blushed redly, but knew better than 
to grow angry over Lafe’s mild sarcasm. His 
Excellency seemed to understand both the scout 
and his youthful friend pretty well. I have 
a high opinion of Master Morris,” he said, 
kindly. “ Take care of him, Holdness. It is 
upon such young men as he that we most ear- 
nestly depend. Some of us older ones may not 
live to see the end of this war, and the younger 
generation must live to carry it on.” 

Hadley did not think him austere now ; his 
eyes were sad and his face worn and deeply 
lined. Not alone did the rank and file of the 
American army suffer physically during that 
awful winter ; many of the officers went hungry, 
too, and it was whispered that often Washing- 
ton’s own dinner was divided among the hollow- 
eyed men who guarded his person and senti- 
neled the road leading to the little stone house. 

232 



“HADLEY, THAT IS A GREAT MAN YONDER 








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IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Lafe nodded to the boy and they withdrew. 
On the road outside the scout placed his hand 
upon Hadley’s shoulder. “ Had, that’s a great 
man in yonder,” said he, in his homely way. 
“ You ’ll’ I don’t know how great he is ; but 
there’ll come folks arter us that will. He’s 
movin’ heaven an’ airth ter git rations for this 
army, an’ they ain’t onfe of us suffers that he 
doesn’t feel it.” 

They went on in silence, Hadley leading his 
mare, until they came to the sheds behind an 
old country inn not far from headquarters. 
Here Holdness had left his great covered wagon 
and team of sturdy draught horses. Despite 
the condition of affairs in the territory about 
Philadelphia, the scout retained his character 
of teamster, and continued to go in and come 
out of the city as he pleased. How he allayed 
the suspicions of the British was known only to 
himself ; but evidently General Washington 
trusted him implicitly. 

Hadley, as they drove slowly through the 
camp, gave the black mare over into Captain 
Prentice’s care. Not until they were beyond 
the picket lines of the Americans entirely did 
Holdness offer any explanation of the work be- 
233 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


fore them. We’re goin’ ter stop at a place 
an’ take a load of grain into Pliiladelphy,” 
he began. I ’greed ter do this last week. I 
ain’t say in’, but I’d like to turn about an’ cart 
it inter aour lines ; but that can’t be. The man 
’at owns it is a Tory, ’an he’s shippin’ his grain 
inter town so as to save it from the ’Mericans. 
He’s got his convictions; same’s we’ve got ourn ; 
’taint so bad fur him to sell ter them Britishers 
as it is fur some o’ these folks ’t claim ter have 
the good of the cause at heart, an’ yet won’t 
take scrip fur their goods.” 

When they came to the farmer’s in question 
the great wagon was heavily loaded with sacks 
of grain. Hadley, who had so plainly seen the 
need of such commodity in the American camp, 
suggested that they take a roundabout way, and 
deliver the sacks of grain to their friends in- 
stead of to the British, without the Tory being 
any the wiser. And spile my game ?” cried 
Lafe, with a chuckle. I guess not. Beckon 
His Excellency wouldn’t thank us for that. 
I’m wuth more to him takin’ the stuff into 
Pliiladelphy than the grain would be. We’re 
goin’ in there to git some information, Hadley, 
my son — this ain’t no pleasure ja’nt.” 

234 


IV/fh Washington at Valley Forge 


But what can I do queried the boy. 

‘‘ What you’re told — and I reckon you’ve 
I’arned that already with Gin’ral Wayne. A 
boy like yeou can git ’round ’mongst folks with- 
out being suspicioned better ’n me. It’s whis- 
pered, Hadley, that them Britishers contemplate 
making a sortie on aour camp. You know 
the state we’re in, an’ if the British mean 
to attack we must know it and be ready for 
them. Every crumb of information you kin 
pick up must be treasured. I’ll take ye to 
Jo than Pye, and yeou can be an apprentice of 
his. He can git yeou access to the very houses 
in which some o’ them big bugs is quartered. 
If plans are really laid for an attack you’ll hear 
whispers of it. Them whispers yeou’ll give to 
me, sonny. D’ye understand ?” 

Hadley nodded. He understood what was 
expected of him ; also, he understood that the 
mission would be perilous. But he had been 
in danger before, and he did not lack some 
measure of confidence in himself now. 

The huge wagon rumbled on toward the 
British lines. When they were halted Lafe 
managed to give such a good account of himself 
that he was allowed to pass through with little 
235 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 

questioning, for the grain was assigned to the 
quartermaster’s department. Hadley was sim- 
ply considered a country bumpkin, who had 
come into town to see the sights. Soon the old 
scout and the boy separated, Hadley making his 
way swiftly to the Quaker’s habitation near the 
Indian Queen, where good Mistress Pye wel- 
comed him warmly. 

Friend Pye was a merchant, and dealt in 
such foreign commodities — particularly in West 
India goods — as were in demand among the 
British officers. As previously noted, the 
Quaker had lived so circumspectly in the city 
throughout the war that his loyalty to the king 
was considered unshaken by his Tory neigh- 
bors, and yet he was so retiring and so worthy 
a man that the Whigs had not considered him a 
dangerous enemy. Now that the British occu- 
pied the city he was the same ; he showed no 
exultation as did the Tories ; nor did he display 
any feeling of vexation at the coming of the 
enemy. Business all the time was the good 
Quaker’s motto — or seemed to be. He ap- 
peared to be too guileless to need watching. 

If anybody noted, during these cold days of 
middle winter, that Friend Pye had a new 
236 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


’prentice boy it was not particularly remarked. 
The gossip of camp and barracks had taken the 
jilace of ordinary interests for the people of the 
occupied city. All conversation was tinged 
with military life and happenings. Friend 
Pye’s young man carried goods to the Norris 
house, where My Lord Rawdon — that swarthy, 
haughty nobleman, both hated and feared by 
all who came in contact with him — was quar- 
tered, and even to Peter Reeves’ house on Sec- 
ond Street, where Lord Cornwallis held a min- 
iature court. Hadley was, in his new duties, 
quick and obliging. The British officers often 
remarked that, for a country bumpkin, Pye’s 
apprentice was marvelously polite, and pos- 
sessed some grace and gentleness. But all the 
time Hadley Morris was keeping both his eyes 
and ears open, and when Hold ness came to the 
Quaker’s house under cover of the night he 
told him all he had heard and seen, even to 
details which seemed to him quite worthless. 

Ye never know how important little things 
may be,” Hold ness told him. It’s the little 
things that sometimes turn aout ter be of th’ 
greatest value. Stick to it. Had.” 

But one day Hadley experienced something 
237 


IVitli Washington at Valley Forge 


of a shock — indeed two of them. He was 
walking through Spruce Street carrying a 
bundle which his employer had entrusted him 
to deliver at an officer’s residence, when a 
carriage came slowly toward him. It was a very 
fine coach — much finer than any he had ob- 
served in Philadelpliia thus far — and it was 
drawn by a pair of magnificent horses. The 
horses were bay, and before many moments the 
boy, with a start, recognized them. His eyes 
flew from the handsome team to the coachman^ 
perched on the high seat. 

The bays were the same he had seen so often 
while Colonel Creston Knowles was a guest at 
the Three Oaks Inn, and the driver was William, 
the silent Cockney. The coach window was 
wide open and Hadley could see within. There 
on the silken cushions was seated Mistress 
Lillian herself! The boy stared, stopping on 
the edge of the walk in his surprise. Of course, 
he might have expected to find the British 
officer and his daughter here, yet he was amazed 
nevertheless. 

But he was evidently not the only person as- 
tonished. Lillian saw him. She leaned from 
the carriage window, and, for an instant, he 
238 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


thought she was about to call to him. Then she 
glanced up at the driver^s seat and said some- 
thing to William. At once the bays began 
to trot and the carriage rolled swiftly past. 
But Hadley had looked up at the driver, too, 
and for the first time saw and recognized the 
person sitting by William on the high perch. 

William was gorgeous in a maroon livery ; 
the person beside him was in livery also, and 
evidently acted as footman. But despite his 
gay apparel Hadley recognized this footman in- 
stantly. It was Alonzo Alwood, and as he gazed 
after the retreating carriage, the American youth 
was conscious that Lon had twisted around in 
his seat and was staring at him with scowling 
visage. 


239 


CHAPTEE XVIII 

A CHASE AND A SURPKISE 

Although Hadley Morris had once before 
left Philadelphia because of Lon Alwood’s pres- 
ence there, it had never crossed his mind during 
his j^resent visit that his one-time school rival 
was still in the city. News from the vicinity of 
the Three Oaks Inn had filtered into the 
American camp at Valley Forge but slowly, 
and he had every reason to suppose Lon at 
home, now that active fighting between the two 
armies had ceased. And to see him again here 
— and sitting on the box of Colonel Creston 
Knowles’ carriage ! It was certainly startling 
enough. 

Colonel Knowles had come to Philadelphia 
with his daughter instead of returning to New 
York. They had established themselves for the 
winter and probably lived in good style, when 
they were served by servants in livery. And 
240 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


that Lon Alwood, the New Jersey farmer^s son, 
should don a livery and act as footman for the 
British officer, made Hadley, when he thought 
it over, smile scornfully. There was a deep- 
rooted prejudice in the young Americanos mind 
against liveried servants. The spirit of liberty 
which was so much a part of the life of the 
Colonies did not inspire scorn for any honest 
labor; but working for wages for an employer 
was hir different, to the mind of the simple 
American of that day, from serving a master in 
livery. Slavery was practiced both in the North 
and South then (strange that men fighting for 
their own freedom could keep others in bond- 
age), and the liveried servant was looked upon 
as scarcely above the grade of the black bond- 
man. Indeed, the blacks themselves looked 
down upon white servants. 

His recognition by Lon worried Hadley not 
a little. He was not much afraid of Mistress 
Lillian; even had the doughty Colonel himself 
seen him he would not have felt such a sinking 
of the heart as he experienced now. He had 
learned that Colonel Creston Knowles was a 
man of some honor ; he would be an open en- 
emy. But Lon Alwood would be secretive and 
241 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


work, mole-like, to injure him. He did not ex- 
pect to be apprehended by a file of British 
soldiers at the next corner and examined as to 
his presence in the city ; but he knew his enemy 
would work secretly until he discovered his 
hiding place, and would strive to learn why he 
was in Philadelphia. 

He hurried to complete his errand for Master 
Pye, and then returned, by as many unfre- 
quented ways as possible, to the Quaker’s domi- 
cile. Holdness was not in the town just then. 
Following out his character of teamster, he had 
gone south and would return in a day or two 
with the household goods of a Tory family that 
was moving into the city. So Hadley could not 
consult with the scout, nor did he wish to leave 
Philadelphia without seeing him. 

Friend Pye counseled his going abroad only 
by night, and offered to send another messenger 
on errands ; but Hadley knew he had been 
brought to Philadelphia for that very purpose, 
to gain entrance to the officers’ quarters, to look 
and to listen — aye, to be a spy for the cause 
upon which his heart was set. People have 
ever decried the spy system in war time ; but 
if war is to be, espionage of the enemy is hon- 

242 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


orable. Major Andre was as truly a patriot as 
Nathan Hale. 

However, Hadley did not go out of the good 
Quaker^s house without fearing to meet Lon 
Alwood in the street again. Knowing that 
Colonel Knowles was in the city the hoy made 
inquiry and learned that he had hired a fine 
residence on Spruce Street and that Mistress 
Lillian was already a belle among the officers. 
After dark one night he passed the place and 
saw it lit up from basement to garret, while a 
merry party of visitors were going in to some 
entertainment. Colonel Knowles was very pop- 
ular in Philadelphia that winter. 

But Holdness did not return within the time 
expected and Hadley grew more and more 
anxious. Late one afternoon, while he was 
hurrying home to Master Pye^s abode, he turned 
a corner suddenly and came plump upon the 
person he most feared to meet, strolling leisurely 
along the street. Lon was not dressed in the 
livery of a footman now ; he recognized Hadley 
as quick as the latter knew him, and stopped 
square in the walk, grinning. 

Humph ! I thought I’d run across you if 
you was here, some day,” said the Tory youth. 

243 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


He glanced swiftly around, Hadley believed to 
see if there was a soldier in sight, or anybody 
to aid in the capture of the American. 

No you don’t, Lon Alwood !” Hadley ex- 
claimed, and seizing his enemy he threw him 
bodily into the area of a house beside which 
they had halted, and instantly took to his heels 
himself. Lon’s shout of dismay sounded in his 
ears as he rounded the first corner, and lent 
speed to his feet. He knew the other would 
raise the hue and cry and be after him ; but he 
dared not run far. The city was under martial 
law and he feared he would be stopped and 
questioned if he continued to hasten. He did 
not propose to return to Friend Pye’s and get 
that worthy man into trouble, either ; so he cut 
across town, keeping to the narrower streets and 
lanes as much as possible. In a few moments, 
however, he distinguished the sound of a tumult 
in his rear. He had not shaken off the vindic- 
tive Alonzo and, having gathered a party of 
helpers, the Tory youth was hard on his heels. 

Hadley darted into a narrow lane behind 
Spruce Street ; but after running up this for 
several rods he found it to be a sort of blind 
alley, and he came up with a crash in the dusk 

244 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


against a high board fence. What was beyond 
this fence he did not know ; but he feared what 
was behind him more, so, leaping up and 
grasping the top of the barrier, he drew himself 
upon it arid, scarce looking, dropped into the 
yard. It was a garden in which he landed — a 
garden with several fruit trees, now with barren 
limbs, and a square arbor evidently covered by 
luxuriant grapevines in summer. The vines 
interlaced with each other so now that, bare as 
they were, the place offered some little shelter, 
and he darted within. What was his horror 
and astonishment to find that it was not wholly 
unoccupied. 

He saw a figure standing between him and 
the opposite entrance to the arbor — a figure 
which turned at the sound of his step. It was 
a girl in a long cloak, the hood of which almost 
hid her face, and as she had her back to the 
light he had no suspicion of her identity until 
she laughed outright. “ Why, Master Hadley 
Morris ! is this the way you come to visit us 
she cried. It was Lillian Knowles herself. So 
excited had he been by the chase instigated by 
Lon Alwood that Hadley had paid no attention 
to the fact that he was in the vicinity of the 
245 


Pl^ith Washington at Valley Forge 


residence occupied by the Colonel and his 
daughter. He was breathless — both from his 
recent exertions and from surprise at thus meet- 
ing the girl again. 

“I saw you on the street the other day/’ 
Lillian said, smiling and coming nearer to him. 
“ I would have invited you to come and see me, 
but I remembered that a very dear enemy of 
yours was near, so I desisted. Did you see 
Alwood ?” 

“Yes; I’ve seen him,” exclaimed Hadley. 
“ I — I — in fact. Mistress Knowles, I’ve seen too 
much of him. I — I did not know this was your 
father’s house. I was just crossing the yard to 
the other street — ” 

“ Something is the matter with you, Hadley,” 
she said, quickly. “What is it? What are 
you doing here ?” 

“ Trying to escape from a mob that Alwood 
has set on my heels,” exclaimed Hadley, des- 
perately. 

“ What have you done ?” 

“ Why, you surely know I am in the ene- 
my’s country ?” 

“Are you here in the city to spy for Mr. 
Washington ?” 


246 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


I have been working for a merchant here 
for some time/^ he said, evasively. ‘‘ But Lon 
knows that I carried dispatches once, and he 
will have a good story to tell against me if I am 
caught — there’s no doubt of that.” 

“ Why, he shall be punislied for this!” the 
girl exclaimed. I will tell my father — ” 

That won’t help me any if I am caught,” 
declared Hadley, hastily. “ You have been 
kind to me before, and I thank you. But I 
must go now — ” 

Suddenly there was shouting in the direction 
of Spruce Street. The girl darted swiftly out 
of the arbor, and when Hadley followed he saw 
her cloak disappearing around the corner of the 
house. He ran after her, but happily for his 
safety, he was not in view of the street when 
she returned. She stopped him instantly. 

Ho not go out there, Hadley !” she whis- 
pered. There is a crowd there. I do not see 
Alwood, but they are looking for somebody and 
likely it is you. Come with me — quick !” 

She turned toward a long window which 
opened upon a low gallery over the snow-cov- 
ered lawn. He caught her cloak and stayed 
her an instant. ^‘You endanger your own 
247 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


safety, Mistress Lillian,” he declared. ‘‘ If they 
find me in your house — ” 

‘‘ I hardly think they will dare search the 
residence of Colonel Creston Knowles,” she said, 
haughtily. “ Follow me, sir.” She could be as 
commanding as the Colonel himself when she 
wished, and Hadley, unable to see a better way 
out of his difiiculty, obeyed. The window was 
unlatched — evidently left so by herself when 
she had gone out for a walk in the fresh air. 
She locked it at once when they were within. 
Tlie room into which the American youth was 
ushered was a long drawing room, much finer 
furnished than any apartment he had ever been 
in before. 

“ Now you will sit down and be my guest until 
those people go away,” Lillian said, smiling, 
and recovering her comj)OSure. ‘‘You may be 
a rebel, but I don’t think a boy like you can 
really do us very much harm.” 

“ A boy like you” rather took down Hadley’s 
good opinion of himself, but he was grateful for 
her kindness. “ I only hope I will cause you 
no inconvenience, Mistress Lillian,” he said, 
sitting upon a cushioned chair, and ill enough 
at ease in these strange surroundings. His young 

248 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


hostess pulled a silken bell-cord which hung by 
the door and a moment later a broad black face 
appeared at the entrance to the drawing-room. 

Bring some tea and cakes, Eliza,” the girl 
commanded. 

‘‘ Yes ma^am,” and the head bobbed. 

“ And Eliza !” 

‘‘Yes, ma’am.” 

“ When Alwood comes in, have him wait in 
the servants’ room. I do not wish him up here 
just now. Bemember, Eliza !” 

“ Yes, ma’am,” and after rolling her eyes at 
Hadley, who sat in the darkest corner of the 
room, the servant retired. 

“But what will your father say?” stammered 
Hadley. I am afraid he will not like you to 
treat me so kindly. You know he is a bitter 
enemy of my uncle — ” 

“ But neither father nor I believe you are like 
your uncle, Hadley Morris. At first father did 
not know but you might be aware of the con- 
temptible course which Ephraim Morris has 
taken ; but he was later convinced that you 
knew nothing.” 

“ I assure you,” Hadley said, eagerly, “ that I 
know nothing about my uncle’s affairs. I cannot 

249 


JVith Washington at Valley Jr^orge 


help pitying his condition — there on the farm 
all alone — but he has turned me out of his 
house for fighting with the American forces — 

‘‘ Have you really been in a battle, Hadley 
cried the girl, with interest. 

Yes. I fought at Brandywine and at the 
Warren Tavern, and again at Germantown. I 
was wounded when your people surprised Gen- 
eral Wayne at Paoli, too.’’ 

Why ! I had no idea you were so bad a 
rebel !” she cried, yet smiling. I fear I have 
made a mistake in asking such a terrible person 
into the house. But you have really been in 
battle ? Do you know, I almost wish I were a 
boy that I might be a soldier. Of course, we 
can’t really call you rebels soldiers — ” 

‘‘ Is it fair. Mistress Lillian, to invite me here 
and treat me as kindly as you do, and yet say 
things like that?” the boy interrupted, his voice 
shaking. 

But she laughed again merrily. “ Ah, well ; 
father says you bumpkins fight well. And 
father has a pretty good opinion of you, too. 
Master Morris. But your uncle — ” 

She shook her head and her face clouded 
again. You must know,” Hadley said, that 
250 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


I am unaware how my uncle has injured Colonel 
Knowles. That he has done so I can plainly 
see by the way you — and your father — speak 
of him.^’ 

You know nothing about it V'* 

Not the first tiling/^ declared the boy, with 
emphasis. 

I have a good mind to tell you,’’ said the 
girl, leaning forward, and resting her chin upon 
one palm, while she looked at her visitor ear- 
nestly. Ephraim Morris has in his j^ossession 
a lot of money which belongs to us, and per- 
haps — well, if you knew where he kept it — ” 

‘‘ I would not betray him — not even if I 
knew him to be in the wrong,” said Hadley, de- 
cidedly. So do not hope for that.” 

‘‘Well, I shall tell you anyway,” the girl 
returned. “Then you can judge for yourself. 
For the time may come, when your uncle is 
dead, that you will be in a position to see that 
we obtain our rights.” 


251 


CHAPTEE XIX 


ONE SIDE OF A STORY 

Mistress Lillian was interrupted by the re- 
appearance of the black woman. Eliza brought 
a light table into the corner where Hadley and 
his hostess sat, and placed thereon a tray with 
a steaming urn and a plate of cakes. Then she 
said, before retiring : Ear’s a hull passel o’ 
folks in de street, honey. What yo’ s’pose dey 
wants? Yo’ pah ain’t home, an’ dey been 
s’archin’ some ob de houses, too.” The black 
woman looked hard at the visitor while she 
spoke. Evidently she did not approve of 
him. 

‘‘ Is William downstairs ?” asked Lillian, 
calmly. 

Yaas, Mis’ Lillie.” 

“ Tell him to allow nobody to enter the lower 
door, then.” 

The black woman retired, and the girl said 
252 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


to her companion : They will be tired of look- 
ing for you, after a while, Master Morris ; but 
I shall not let you go until it is real dark.” 
Then she poured the tea (Hadley had tasted 
none since the war began) and drew her own 
chair sociably to the table. Now, I am going 
to tell you all about father and me — you know, 
I have no mother, as you have none. My 
mother has been dead a long time,” said his 
hostess. 

My father, like a great many younger sons 
of English families, entered the army, that be- 
ing almost the only career open to him. He 
did not take kindly to books, I believe, and his 
father, who was quite a famous merchant of 
Liverpool, could not make a tradesman of him. 
In truth, they called him ‘ wild,’ which, in his 
case, I think, meant that he was spirited and 
headstrong,” she added, with an assumption of 
womanly dignity quite charming to see. “ Most 
boys are so, I guess — that is, boys who grow up 
to be anybody. The army was really a good 
place for him, for there one learns to obey, you 
know. 

But poor grandfather did not understand it. 
There is a strain of Quaker blood in the 
253 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Knowleses, and they did not approve of a mili- 
tary career. Besides, father had three older 
brothers, and they were jealous of him, be- 
cause, as the youngest child, he had, while slill 
a boy been the one best loved by grandfather. 
So all his little faults and escapades were mag- 
nified to grandfather by my uncles — oh, I shall 
never forgive them for that ! Had they been 
honorable men, instead of grasping money- 
grubbers, none of this trouble would have come 
to us. 

Grandfather did not aj^prove when father 
entered the army. He was forever trying to 
get father to sell his commission and come into 
his counting-room again. But, finally, the regi- 
ment was ordered to Canada, and while there 
father met my dear mother and married her. 
She was part French, and although she was 
only a factor’s daughter, she was a lovely and 
accomplished lady. But the three elder broth- 
ers must have filled grandfather’s mind wdth 
very ugly stories about her and about father’s 
course in Canada, for he did not send father his 
blessing when he heard of the marriage, and 
seldom wrote to him thereafter. When father 
got a furlough and took mother home to Eng- 

254 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


laud with him (that was when I was born, Master 
Morris), he did not go near his father’s house. 

By and by grandfather died, and when at 
last we heard the news, we learned that the old 
merchant had left everything, but a very small 
bequest, to my uncles. Father’s regiment was 
about to be ordered home, then, and he and I 
(my mother was already dead) went back to 
England. The older brothers were governing 
the business which grandfather had left them, 
and had made a great many changes. They 
did not welcome my father’s coming, for they 
feared that he would strive to get his share of 
the estate. But we would not have dragged the 
name into the courts,” declared Lillian, proudly. 

We had enough to live upon, for my mother 
had some property, which was settled upon me 
when she died. 

‘‘ But father was determined to learn if a true 
will had been probated, and he went to see his 
father’s old attorney. There he was given a 
letter which grandfather ha^ left for liim before 
he died. In it the poor old man stated that he 
had become doubtful regarding the timth of the 
stories which had been repeated to him against 
his youngest son yet he did not wish his money 
255 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


to go to a spendthrift and roisterer. Oh, iny 
uncles were bad, bad men ! 

The letter went on to state that the sum of 
ten thousand pounds had been placed in the 
hands of my grandfather’s oldest and most 
trusted clerk, entirely unbeknown to the three 
brothers, against the time when my father 
should come back to England. If, in the 
opinion of this clerk, who had been in grand- 
father’s confidence for twenty years, my father 
had become settled in life, and if he could 
disprove some of the tales which had been 
repeated against his character while he was 
with the army in Canada, the ten thousand 
pounds were to be handed to him without 
further delay ; but if the clerk was not satisfied 
in his own mind that father was deserving of 
his confidence, the money was to be placed in 
trust for me. 

The last months of poor grandfather’s life 
had evidently been very unhappy, for without 
doubt he feared that he had treated his young- 
est son unkindly. He had come to distrust his 
older sons, for he found them hard and gi*asp- 
ing. Wishing to live his last days in compara- 
tive peace, he had given his old clerk this 
256 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


responsible charge, entirely unknown to his 
other sons. Nobody but grandfather and 
Ephraim Morris — 

Who ?’’ gasped Hadley, almost leaping from 
his chair. 

‘‘Your uncle, Hadley; he was grandfather^s 
trusted clerk. 

Hadley turned pale and listened to the re- 
mainder of the story in bitterness of spirit. 

“Well, nobody but grandfather and your 
uncle knew about this secret bequest until father 
found the letter. But then Ephraim Morris 
had disappeared. Of course, Hadley, I would 
not say that he ran away with the money ; 
grandfather died sometime before we returned 
to England and there had been a good many 
changes made in the counting rooms since my 
uncles came into possession. All we could find 
out about Morris was that he had sailed for 
America. We could not learn at first that he 
had ever landed here in the Colonies. 

“ There was a possibility that he had gone to 
search for my father, who remembered Ephraim 
as a very exact, trustworthy man, and for a long 
time we believe that he was searching for us in 
the Canadas. Then we thought him dead, for 
257 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


father would not believe that the nature of a 
man could so change as to make honest Ephraim 
Morris a thief!’’ 

Hadley winced and opened his lips to ask : 

Might he not have believed that your father 
was dead ?” 

Ah, but he knows better now,” Lillian re- 
turned, quickly. Nay, there is no excuse for 
him. He denies everything — my grandfather’s 
trust and all. Father knows not what to be- 
lieve — whether he still possesses the trust money, 
or that my uncles found out about the ten 
thousand pounds, made Ephraim disgorge it, 
and paid him to come to the Colonies and hide 
himself.” 

“ But how did you finally learn where Uncle 
Ephraim was ?” queried the boy. 

‘‘ Quite by accident. Somebody whom father 
knew, had traveled in this part of the country, 
and remembering the disappearance of a certain 
Ephraim Morris, having learned some of the 
particulars from my father, was curious enough 
to make inquiries when he heard the name 
mentioned in Trenton. Your uncle has some 
interests there, has he not ?” 

I know little about his money affairs,” 

258 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


declared Hadley, sadly. ‘‘ He is called a miser 
by the neighbors and he is as secret as a miser 
about his private possessions. I can give you 
no information.’^ Yet he was thinking at the 
moment of the night he had spent in his uncle’s 
house and seen the bags of what he believed to 
be gold, buried in the orchard. That money 
was a part, if not all, of the ten tliousand pounds 
which had been entrusted to Ephraim Morris 
for Colonel Knowles ; yet the boy could not 
bring himself to speak of it then. He was 
hearing one side of the story, and although he 
did not doubt Mistress Lillian’s word, he knew 
that to two people on opposite sides of a question, 
the same facts take on different shades of mean- 
ing. 

Then this rebellion began in the Colonies,” 
the girl went on to say, and father was granted 
an exchange of regiments and we came across to 
New York. He had already tried to communi- 
cate with your uncle, but he got no satisfaction. 
So, when he could obtain a short release from his 
duties, we came into Jersey and — well, you know 
what little satisfaction father got. Master Morris. 
Your uncle denied everything and the country 
being so disturbed it is doubtful if father can 


259 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


take any legal steps until the rebellion is put 
down/^ 

Hadley flushed then and said quickly : Per- 
haps that will take some time, Mistress Lillian. 
I fear if your father depends uj)on the re- 
establishment of the king’s control of these 
Colonies to gain his will with Ephraim Morris, 
he is doomed to disappointment.” 

Oh, but you do not really believe that, do 
you ?” cried the girl. 

I firmly do.” 

Why, I am told that your people are ragged 
and starving — that you have neither clothes nor 
arms, nor ammunition out there in the wilder- 
ness.” 

‘‘ And for that very reason we shall win,” 
Hadley declared, rising. “ Men who will starve, 
and freeze, and suffer as they suffer, for a cause 
they believe is just, are bound to win !” 

She looked at him, half amused and half im- 
pressed by his earnestness. At the instant, be- 
fore she could again speak, the black woman, 
showing much excitement in her face, appeared 
again at the door of the room. ‘‘ Lawsey, Mis’ 
Lillie ! Hat’ Lonzo Alwood’s downstairs an’ he 
wanter know if we seen anybody come t’rough 
260 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


here ? He say one dein rebel fellers is hidin’ 
round erbout yere some ways. He wanter s’arch 
the house.” 

‘‘ How dare he !” exclaimed the girl, stamping 
her little foot. But the sudden danger brought 
Hadley back to practical things. He stepped 
softly to the window and peered out through the 
curtains. It was already dusk, but he could 
see that a crowd of people were in front of the 
house. 

I wish father were here !” exclaimed the 
girl. Master Alwood will work for him no 
more — I can assure him of that. Go tell him, 
Eliza, that he cannot come in until Colonel 
Knowles returns.” Then when the woman had 
gone, Lillian said to Hadley : Do not fear. 

Master Morris. I invited you to come in and 
here you shall remain in safety.” 

As she spoke, however, Hadley darted back 
from the window. He had seen a face suddenly 
thrust against the pane. Somebody had mounted 
upon the porch, or gallery upon which the 
window opened, and had looked into the room. 
“Who was it ?” cried Lillian, running to look out. 
Then she drew the curtains together and fast- 
ened them. “ He has gone now,” she breathed, 
261 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


For a minute or two they stood silently watch- 
ing each other. Hadley had grave doubts as to 
the outcome of the adventure. Surely the girl 
would not jeopardize her position and her 
father^s to save him ; yet he could not believe 
that she would willingly betray him to the pro- 
vost guard. On her part Lillian was wonder- 
ing whether she had better hide her guest, or 
brave the matter out and deny the soldiers 
the right to enter and search her father’s 
premises. 

Before she had found any plan, however, 
there came a thundering summons at the front 
entrance to the house. There was the rattle of 
arms, too, and both the young people turned 
pale. Notice of the throng of curious people 
who had gathered in Spruce Street had been 
taken by the authorities, and a file of soldiers 
sent to inquire into the matter. Lon Alwood, 
balked in his attempt to search the house him- 
self for the fugitive had secured the co-opera- 
tion of the soldiers and their officer the instant 
they came into the street. 

“ Remain here, Hadley — do not leave the 
room,” commanded the girl, and running swiftly 
into the wide hall of the house she opened the 
262 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


door herself before William could get to it. 
Hadley could hear all that went on outside, and, 
still standing in the darkest corner of the room, 
listened with beating heart. 

Evidently the sudden appearance of the little 
mistress of the house startled the petty officer 
who had demanded admittance. How dare 
you come to this door?” Hadley heard Lillian 
cry. Do you know that this is the residence 
of Colonel Creston Knowles ? What do you 
mean by it? Order these people to disperse at 
once !” 

The officer was embarrassed by this declara- 
tion and stammered : “We was told. Mistress, 
that there was a rebel hiding here — a spy, be- 
like—” 

“ In Colonel Knowles’ house ?” cried the girl. 
“ How dare you suggest such a thing ?” 

“ But this young man,” began the officer, and 
at that Lon Alwood pushed himself to the front. 

“ Yes, he’s in there !” exclaimed the Tory. 
“ I just seen him with my own eyes in that 
room. You can’t fool me. I hope I know Had 
Morris when I see him.” 

At that Hadley shook with sudden fear and 
looked about wildly for some means of escape. 

263 


CHAPTEE XX 


COLONEL KNOWLES’ EYESIGHT IS POOR 

Lillian Knowles had shown him some 
kindness ere now, but naturally Hadley could 
not look to her to risk her own reputation to 
save him from capture. That would be asking 
too much of even the best friend he had. 
Whether the girl believed him not very dan- 
gerous,’’ or not, he was a rebel in her eyes, and 
her father would certainly be displeased did she 
do anything to injure her reputation for loyalty 
in the eyes of his brother officers. 

Hadley strode to the window. Was it pos- 
sible for him to make a dash after opening the 
swinging casement, get across the lawn, and 
again lead his pursuers in a chase through the 
city streets ? It was dark now, and the chances 
for escape were better than they were when Lon 
Alwood first raised the hue and cry after him, 
but before he was unwise enough to open the 

264 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


window he caught sight of something glistening 
outside. He looked closer. It was the buttons 
upon the coat of a guard who stood directly in 
front of the window. 

Meanwhile the voices in the hall had grown 
louder. 

“ You shall not come in here Hadley heard 
Lillian declare. When the Colonel comes 
home, Lon Alwood, he will have you sent back 
to your father’s. You shall not work here any 
longer.” 

‘‘ I don’t care what he does to me. I’ve got 
about tired of being dressed up like a monkey 
an’ waitin’ on you, anyway,” growled Lon. 

But you can’t hide Had Morris from me. He’s 

^ spy— ’ 

‘‘ I’m sorry. Mistress Knowles,” interrupted 
the officer, but it may be possible that the 
man this fellow says came in here, has taken 
refuge in your house without your being aware 
of it.” 

‘‘ I tell you, sir, that you enter these premsies 
at your peril!” exclaimed the plucky girl. 
'' Every person in this house is under the pro- 
tection of Colonel Knowles, my father. Now 
begone.” 


265 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


'‘He won't protect Had Morris!" cried Lon. 
“ He ain't got any love for him." 

Hadley knew this very well. Colonel Knowles 
was a fairer-minded man than he had at first 
supposed, but he was pretty sure that the Brit- 
ish oflScer could not bring himself to the point 
of hiding an acknowledged spy of the Ameri- 
can army in his house. The Colonel knew that 
Hadley carried messages to and from General 
Washington, and he would suspect that his 
presence in Philadelphia was not entirely 
innocent. Had there seemed any possible 
mode of escape, the boy would have tried it, 
rather than have remained longer to embarrass 
the Colonel's daughter. 

But there was an interruption now, and one 
that brought no hope to Hadley — rather his 
fear was* increased. A shout arose from the 
crowd outside, and then the ring of horses' 
hoofs reached the fugitive's ears. The keen, 
wintry air, which blew into the house and made 
the fire on the open hearth roar up the chimney, 
bore the sounds plainly to him. 

“ Alwood ! hold my horse. What is the 
meaning of this crowd before the door ? Cor- 
poral, drive the rabble away." 

266 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 

It was the Coloners voice, and the next 
instant he stood in the hall. Daughter, 
you will get your death here. What is the 
matter ?” 

If it please Your Honor,’’ said the Corporal, 
in a subdued tone, it was reported to me that 
a rebel spy was secreted here — ” 

In my house ?” exclaimed the Colonel, and 
his voice had no pleasant ring. 

It is not supposed. Your Honor, that he 
is here with your consent. He was followed 
here by this young man,” and evidently the 
Corporal pushed Lon Alwood forward again 
to take the brunt of the Colonel’s dis- 
pleasure. 

You, Alwood !” exclaimed the officer, 
wrathfully. “ Are you the stirrer up of 
this trouble ? Get down there and hold 
my horse, sirrah! Have I to speak to you 
twice ?” 

‘‘ I’m not your body servant. Colonel 
Knowles,” cried the Tory. ‘‘You can order 
them slaves around, but you can’t order me 
that way. I tell you I seen him come this way, 
an’ I seen him in the room, yonder — I looked 
through the window.” 


267 


IVith Washington at V^alley Forge 


Of whom are you speaking ?” demanded 
the Colonel. 

“ Had Morris — that^s the fellow/’ declared 
Lon. 

What ! has all this throng come here to 
seize a boy ?” cried the British officer, in amaze- 
ment. ‘‘Ah, Alwood, you are one of those who 
nurse a hope of vengeance against any who may 
have obtained advantage of you, eh? I remem- 
ber your feud with young Morris. But if the 
boy came this way, he would never take refuge 
in my house — ” 

“ He’s in that room, I tell you !” cried the 
excited Lon. “ See ! Look at her standin’ be- 
fore the door to hide him !” 

And it was true that Lillian, in her fear for 
Hadley’s safety, had taken her stand in front 
of the drawing-room door, as though to forbid 
entrance there. With a single stride the Colonel 
was at her side. Despite the pleading in her 
eyes, he put her away with a firm but kind 
grasp, and threw back the draperies before the 
door. The dusk filled the room, but Hadley, 
standing motionless at the farther end, was sure 
that the Colonel could see him. Indeed, the 
British officer seemed looking squarely at him, 
268 


W'ith Washington at Valley Forge 


until, as he swung on his heel to go, the terri- 
fied youth observed that the ColoneFs eyes were 
closed ! 

‘‘ I see nobody here. Corporal, he said. 
“ That fellow is doubtless mistaken.” Then to 
Lon he said, sternly : Go to William and get 
your wages, sirrah ! And do not let me see you 
about here again. Corporal, clear the street !” 

The next moment the door slammed and the 
danger was over. Hadley heard Lillian utter 
almost a sob of relief. Oh, father, dear !” she 
exclaimed ; I was so afraid — ” 

“ Tell me nothing at present, daughter,” 
said the Colonel, sternly. “ I — I have busi- 
ness for an hour in my room. At the end 
of that time I shall wish to see you in the 
drawing-room. Be ready for me.” He mounted 
the stairs, calling on William, the servant man, 
to follow him, and a moment later Lillian en- 
tered the room where she had left her fright- 
ened visitor. 

Hadley went forward to meet her, at once. 
‘‘I cannot thank you enough,” he declared, 
brokenly. ‘^And your father — ” 

But she was laughing almost hysterically. 
“ Dear father just shut his eyes and declared he 

269 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


didn’t see you — which was very true. But he 
has given you only an hour, Master Morris. 
You heard what he said?” 

I would like to thank him,” said the boy, 
earnestly. 

Well, you had better wait until the rebellion 
is put down, before you do that,” and she 
laughed. But he did not wince at her remark, 
this time. That Lon Alwood will not get 
another such place as he had here. I guess he 
will be sorry enough. He had good wages and 
not much to do, and his father begged the Colo- 
nel to take him and look after him. His brother 
is somewhere in town, too, with a British 
troop, I believe.” 

Well, I shall have to get away at once, and 
I hope I shall not cross the paths of either Lon 
or his brother Brace,” Hadley said. “ Do 
you think they have gone from the front of the 
house yet ?” 

I do not know ; but you had better wait a 
little and then go by the rear, Hadley. I hope 
you will get away safely this time ; but if you 
come into Philadelphia again perhaps I shall 
have to really look upon you as an enemy,” 
and she laughed. 


270 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


She offered him her hand and as he took it, 
Hadley said, earnestly : “ I want you to tell 
your father that if ever I have the chance to 
bring Uncle Ephraim to his senses, and can 
urge him to do the right and honest thing in 
the matter of that trust money, I shall do so. 
Or, if there be no hope of tliat, if I ever fall 
heir to his property and the money left by your 
grandfather can be found, it shall be restored 
to you at once.’^ 

A little later, after Lillian had put on her 
cloak and gone herself to see that the coast was 
clear, the young American left the ColoneFs 
residence, scaling the fence in the rear to reach 
the lane. Fortunately it was pitch dark now 
and he was not likely to be observed. In half 
an hour he arrived at Master Pye’s house and 
there found Lafe Hold ness awaiting him. The 
scout and the Quaker had both begun to worry 
because of his unexpected absence. When he 
related his adventure of the early evening, 
Lafe at once counseled that he return to the 
Valley Forge camp. 

I mind what the Gin’ral said when we came 
away,’^ remarked the old scout. He said I 
was ter be careful of the younger gineration, 
271 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


an’ I reckon that means that I sh’d keep you 
outer a British prison. Yeou’ve done rale 
well, Had, and I know ye’ll hate ter give it 
up ; but ye’ll hafter go. I’ll find a way ter git 
ye aout ternight. I’m not goin’ back myself 
jest yet.” 

But Hadley Morris was not destined to get 
out of the Quaker City so easily. While he and 
Hold ness, were discussing the matter of escape 
in the room behind Master Bye’s shop, the 
good Quaker came in with his wig awry and a 
worried look upon his face. The shop was in 
the lower story of the merchant’s dwelling, and 
the little room behind was used by the Quaker 
to sit in when business was not brisk, and was 
comfortably furnished. There were heavy cur- 
tains at the windows, which opened upon a back 
court, and it was made cozy by a cheerful fire 
on the hearth. 

“What troubles thee. Friend Bye ?” queried 
Holdness, his thin lips opening questioningly. 
“ Has some customer got the best of ve in 
trade ?” 

“ This is no time for sport or jest, Eliphalet 
Holdness. I fear the boy is in danger. Tell 
me, Hadley,* of what manner of lad is this 
272 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Alonzo Alwood of whom thou wast speak- 
ing?’^ 

‘‘ Lon Alwood ! He hasn’t followed me 
here ?” gasped Hadley, leaping up. 

His appearance, Hadley ? What is he like ? 
I have just bad a boy come in and trouble me 
by asking prices of goods which he evidently 
did not come to buy. And as he tried to get 
out to this end of the shop I was forced to fair 
drive him forth.” 

Hadley, in haste, gave a description of 
young Alwood. It is the same,” declared the 
merchant. “ And I believe he is still waiting 
without for thee, Hadley.” 

I shall certainly get you into trouble. Master 
Pye — and Lafe, too !” cried Had. I must go 
at once. He may bring soldiers here to search 
your house, and you can scarcely keep them out 
as Colonel Knowles did.” 

Don’t thee fear for me. Master Morris,” said 
the Quaker. 

“ But I shall get Holdness into trouble, too.” 

Is the fellow still outside. Friend Jothan ?” 
asked the scout, quickly. 

“ I believe he is lurking in the shadow of the 
house across the street.” 


273 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


‘‘ Let him stay there, then,’’ said Lafe. 

There’s a back way out of this place, I hope. 
Who lives in the house in the rear ?” 

‘‘ Neighbor Harris — and a rabid Tory, Friend 
Holdness.” 

Bad ! But at least we can get through his 
yard ?” 

‘‘ If it be not watched. He has a fierce dog, 
but it will be chained.” 

You shall not go, Lafe !” declared Hadley. 
<< Why should you risk your safety in getting 
me out of town ? If they suspect you, that will 
end your usefulness to General Washington for 
good and all.” 

“ Now, Had, don’t yeou be too positive that 
I’m goin’ ter run any risk of that. Howbeit, I 
got ye iirter this scrape an’ I’m goin’ to see ye 
through — don’t forget that!” He had already 
opened one of the windows softly. The wintry 
air blew in keenly and Master Pye shut the 
door into the shop and went back to watch for 
customers after pressing Hadley’s hand kindly. 
Both Hadley and Lafe put on their outer coats, 
and then, at a motion from the scout, the boy 
wriggled through the narrow casement and 
sprawled on the snow outside. “ I’m after ye 1” 

274 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


breathed Holdiiess, softly, and in a moment lie, 
too, was outside the house, stopping only to 
drop the window sash into place before leading 
the way to the wall which separated the yards 
of the two houses which, being set back to 
back, fronted on different streets. 

Once at this wall Lafe gave Hadley a hand 
and boosted him until he could see over the 
barrier. All was quiet, and the dog-house was 
at the other end of the yard. The night air 
was so chill that evidently the brute had re- 
tired and was now asleep. Tliis fact Hadley 
whispered to his friend. Go on, then,’’ re- 
turned Lafe. Wait till I get astride of that 
there wall before ye drop. Then we’ll laig it 
tergether if the dog comes out.” 

Being so much taller than his young com- 
panion, Lafe Holdness easily drew himself to 
the top. Then, when he whispered ‘‘Ready!” 
both of them dropped into Neighbor Harris’ 
yard and started for the street beyond. But as 
Lafe had expected the dog woke up and came 
tearing out of the shelter, making the night 
ring with angry hayings. The suddenness of 
this vocal onslaught would naturally arouse the 
neighbors for rods around, and not alone was 
275 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the great brute to be feared because of his 
barking. His mighty leaps after the fleeing 
men that had dropped into his master’s prem- 
ises from the boundary wall, were too much for 
the chain. Before Lafe and Hadley got around 
the corner of the house the chain snapped and 
the dog was free ! 

Hadley, who was looking back, uttered a low 
cry of warning and increased his speed. But 
his comrade stumbled over some protuberance 
in the crusted snow and went down at full 
length. The boy heard the fall and swung 
about to aid his friend. He half drew the 
pistol he carried from beneath his coat ; but 
then the thought that the explosion of the 
weapon would likely arouse the guard and bring 
swift inquiry, stayed his hand. The great 
hound, however, was almost upon the fallen 
Lafe. There was no time to hesitate if Hadley 
would save him from the jaws of the brute. 

He leaped in the dog’s path, and as the 
creature rose on its haunches, its jaws wide 
open and the froth flecking its slate-colored 
breast, the boy delivered a terriflc kick which 
reached the exposed ribs. The dog’s barking 
changed to a howl of agony, and it dropped 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


back without touching him, rolling over and 
over ill the snow. It had been a most cruel 
blow, but it could not be helped, for the dog was 
fierce enough to have torn Lafe to pieces. 

“ Come on. Had muttered the scout, who 
had now risen, and in a moment they were in 
the street. Windows and doors were opening 
on all sides. They heard the owner of the 
watchdog — Mr. Harris — come out into his rear 
yard, and his voice rose in angry threats against 
the marauders. Hedl think it was some afi 
the soldiers like enough,” said the scout. 

They did not dare run far, but on round- 
ing the first corner dropped into a walk. 
There were plenty of the soldiery abroad, and 
occasionally a group of guards marched by, 
bound for the outskirts of the town. Hadley 
would have left his friend here and gone on 
alone, but the scout was insistent. He was de- 
termined to see the boy out of Philadelphia 
before thinking of his own safety. 

I'm all right. Had. I've pulled the wool 
over these Britishers' eyes so often that it's 
meat an' drink to me,'' he declared, with a 
chuckle. “ Not but I've seen some tight places 
since this war broke aout ; yet somehow, when 
277 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


a man goes round carrying his life in his hand, 
as ye might say every day, it gits kinder like 
second nater to him 

They hurried on, Lafe leading the way into 
the northern part of the town. He knew the 
position of almost every outpost and sentinel in 
the entire system of British guard lines, and 
soon after midnight he had taken his young 
friend safely past the last one and there were 
only the American pickets ahead of him. “You 
don’t know the watchword to-night, but never 
you mind,” he said to the youth. “ Follow this 
road until you are stopped and you’ll likely hit 
men of your own brigade. At least General 
Wayne’s headquarters are in this direction. 
Perhaps I’ll see ye in camp in a few days,” and 
he wrung the boy’s hand and set off on his re- 
turn journey through the British lines, while 
Hadley, thankful indeed at his escape from the 
city, hurried away in the opposite direction. 


278 


CHAPTER XXI 

THE CALL OF DUTY 

It was not yet sunrise, but the east was 
streaked with light and the stars were fading 
in the zenith when Hadley Morris, after a 
toilsome march across country, came in sight 
of the first sentinel on the line of American 
guards which enclosed the Valley Forge camp. 
The air was chill, and the snow, where the wind 
had not blown the frozen earth entirely bare, 
crackled under foot as one stepped. Hadley 
was warmly dressed, thanks to Friend Pye and 
his good wifOj and his hands were encased in 
warm mittens knit by the Quakeress herself. 
The contrast between the boy and the man who 
stood back to him, leaning upon a rusty rifie, 
was startling. 

For some time Hadley had seen nobody but 
well-fed and warmly-clad people ; the soldiers 
he had observed in Philadelphia lacked for 
279 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


nothing of a physical nature. He had almost 
forgotten what privations the patriot army were 
suffering. He stopped and gazed upon this 
scarecrow soldier with tears welling to his eyes 
and a feeling of sudden bitter hatred against 
the British who were having such easy times 
while the Americans starved and froze. 

The poor fellow’s shoes were broken until his 
feet in places touched the earth itself ; his hose 
was worn in great holes, or clumsily darned and 
patched by his own numbed hands. His 
breeches were shrunk and torn and the shabby 
coat sadly rent. When he turned Hadley ob- 
served that the coat was held together by bits 
of string and a belt about his waist, and the 
shirt which was exposed showed evidence of 
being in as bad a state of repair as his other 
clothing. His hat was torn, too, and beneath 
its flapping brim hollow eyes — wolfish with 
hunger — stared out of a wilderness of disheveled 
hair and beard. 

Hadley’s heart smote him. He had been 
living in comfort and plenty with little thought 
for these poor fellows. Why, he had actually 
wasted food during the ])ast week which would 
have made a new man of this poor wretch and 
280 



'‘WHO’S THERE?” CAME THE CHALLENGE 


,a».* 




IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


have put renewed life into liis enfeebled frame! 
The sentinel saw him, and bringing up his 
weapon limped several paces nearer. Where he 
stepped upon a patch of snow his foot left a 
mark of crimson. 

Who’s there came the challenge, hoarse 
as the croak of a raven. 

A friend.” 

Forward here, and let me see you,” com- 
manded the sentinel. When he observed Had- 
ley more clearly he said : Why, ’tis but a 

lad.” 

Despite the hoarseness of the tone, the words 
were vigorously spoken. The eyes were keen. 
The rusty gun was handled as though the sen- 
tinel’s mind was fully awake to the necessity for 
caution, though his hearing had been a bit dull. 
As Hadley drew nearer this question filled his 
mind entirely : Why was the man here ? 

Why was he in rags, with bleeding feet, bare 
hands, half covered limbs, body wracked with 
hunger — in every way suffering to the limit of 
human endurance ? What power kept him at 
his post on this wind-swept hillside ; what de- 
sire upheld him in his sufferings ; what end did 
he see ? 


281 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


And while yet the boy’s thought whispered 
these queries the man spoke again : Ah-ha ! I 
remember you, my lad. I have seen you with 
General Wayne. You’re the boy who rides the 
black mare through the camp. Have you the 
countersign ?” 

No,” said Hadley, choking down the lump 
which rose in his throat at this example of 
human wretchedness. I have just come out of 
Philadelphia, and I want to get to General 
Washington.” 

The sentinel saluted. “ God bless him !” he 
said, quickly. He came through the camp 
yesterday with them smug-faced gentlemen 
whom our Congress have sent here as a com- 
mittee to see how well we’re housed and fed. 
His Excellency stopped me and spoke to me — 
think of that now ! Aye, but he did. He 
asked me if I could not find better shoes than 
these. I said : ‘ Your Honor, I’ve got powder 

and well run bullets. Them’s better than 
shoes.’ ^ But your hands are bare and your 
shirt in ribbons,’ says he. ‘ I’m not mindin’ 
that. Your Honor,’ says I. * The winter ’ll 
pass. Then we’ll not need shoes nor shirts. 
Give us a chance to fight — that’s all we ask,’ — 
282 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


and it’s what we want! You’re from the city, 
lad. You’ve not got a bite about you ? mayhap 
you tucked a napkin o’ food in your pocket 
when you started ?” 

I was forced to flee in the night,” declared 
Hadley, in sorrow. 

Well, it matters not,” the man said sturdily. 
He tightened his belt a bit. ^‘The morning air 
is keen and it gives one a ravenous appetite. 
March on, young sir. You will be stopped 
twice ere you come to Mad Anthony’s house. 
Your mare is there, no doubt.” 

Hadley went on without replying. Some- 
how, the sturdy patience of this starving, freez- 
ing man was more pitiful than any cry of dis- 
tress could have been. Hadley’s eyes were 
blinded with tears as he stumbled on his way. 
Why were these things so ? Why were men, 
fighting for a country which, if exhausted near 
at hand, was amply supplied with provisions and 
necessities in more distant parts, allowed to suf- 
fer so desperately ? What made Valley Forge 
so famous? Nay, what made the treatment of 
the patriot army there so infamous ? Merely 
the incapacity and jealousy of Congress. 

And yet there was some small reason for the 
283 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


doubt and fear in which that body of men held 
the idol of the army. Taught by history no 
less than by their own experience of the dangers 
of standing armies in a free state, and without a 
single example in history of a great military 
leader voluntarily retiring into private life when 
his immediate work was done, Congress feared 
the power held by Washington. If he were 
successful in leading this handful of patriots 
against the king, he might be king himself! 
They saw in him a possible dictator who, with 
a conquering army behind him, could grasp 
the government of the new confederation 
with a hand of iron and, instead of having 
become unshackled, the Colonies would have 
but exchanged a king’s yoke for an em- 
peror’s ! 

Hadley’s welcome from Captain Prentice and 
those who were interested in him near General 
Wayne’s person, was warm. He had matters to 
report to the Commander-in-Chief himself and 
finding Black Molly in fairly good condition 
(although many of the horses of the army died 
from starvation at that season), he rode across 
the hills, past Huntingdon’s line of entrench- 
ments, past the encampment of Conway’s troops 

284 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


who were already mariniiring against that mis- 
guided officer, and down into the hollow to the 
small stone house. General Washington re- 
ceived him kindly, listened to his report and 
the news he brought of Lafe Hold ness, and 
dismissed him with an expression of satisfaction 
regarding his own work while in the city of the 
enemy. 

The Cornmander-in-Chief was extremely oc- 
cupied at the time. No man was busier in all 
the camp than this gentleman whom Congress 
feared. He had but just obtained authority 
from the short-sighted body of civilians whom 
the infant nation had elected to govern its 
affairs, to demand and seize provisions from 
those farmers in the neighborhood of Phila- 
delphia who were either hoarding their precious 
grain or selling it to the British for gold. The 
American commander paid in the scrip which 
was so distrusted even by those whose patriot- 
ism in other lines might not be doubted. Wash- 
ington ordered the farmers within seventy miles 
of the encampment to thresh half their grain 
by the first day of February, and the remainder 
by March first, under penalty of having all 
seized as straw. News was brought after this 
285 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


order was promulgated that some farmers had 
burned their grain rather than allow it to be 
taken by the Americans. These, indeed, were 
bitter weeks. 

At about this time, some days after Hadley 
Morris returned from his visit to Philadelphia, 
a recruit who had been across into Jersey for a 
short term and had returned, brought news 
which worried the boy greatly. Old Ephraim 
Morris was ill, and none of the neighbors — not 
even those of Tory breed — attended him with 
any good will. The old man had managed to 
make so many enemies, and was so crabbed and 
hateful now that he was in ill health, that the 
neighbors had become disgusted with his 
crotchets. ‘‘ He’s too mean to live, anyway,” de- 
clared the man who brought the news, brutally. 
“ He’s got barns filled to the eaves with grain. 
He can’t sell to the British — they won’t send 
across the river for it, for they fear our light- 
horse. But he wouldn’t let us have a stalk 
of it all !” 

Hadley was not supposed to hear this, but he 
did. The man might not have spoken so un- 
kindly regarding Ephraim Morris, had he 
known that his nephew was within earshot. 

286 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


But Hadley was troubled and he went to his 
friend, Captain Prentice, at once. 

‘‘ Why, there’s naught to keep you here if 
you will go,” the officer declared. You’d best 
not let General Wayne know that you are going, 
though. But you have not enlisted. It will 
not be desertion. And then, what matters it ?” 
added the young man, sadly, when so many 
are deserting ?” 

‘‘ I might be able to bring Uncle Ephraim to 
a better way of thinking and save all that grain 
for us,” Hadley said, though he doubted the 
possibility of that himself. “ If he needs me 
very much to attend him he may be reasonable 
now.” 

You know best, lad. Yet according to thy 
own telling the old curmudgeon has little love 
for you. You may have your journey for your 
pains.” 

But Hadley, remembering his mother’s oft 
expressed wish that he should be near his uncle 
if the old man needed him — as Ephraim had 
saved her and her son from absolute penury and 
want in the old country and brought her to this 
new land — ^he believed it his duty to return to 
the farm. So, without making any display of 
287 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


his going, he mounted the black mare and 
turned her head toward the distant Delaware 
and the neighborhood in which he had lived 
most of his life in America. 

He could not hope for any very warm welcome 
from Uncle Ephraim — not after the manner in 
which they had parted three months before. 
But when he finally reached the old place, and 
saw the evident neglect in the outbuildings and 
the old man himself tottering about his chores, 
attempting to do more than his failing strength 
would allow, his conscience condemned him. 
He had kept the promise he had made his 
mother literally, but not in the spirit in which 
she had requested it. Uncle Ephraim was too 
old to be by himself at all. Hadley saw that. 
Despite the farmer’s unfairness and his bitter 
words, he should have remained and watched 
over him. 

Yet even in his weakness the old man, when 
he saw his nephew, would not admit that he 
needed him. “ So you’ve come back again, hev 
ye ?” he snarled. A bad shilling — a bad 
shilling! What d’ye want?” 

Hadley smiled quietly. “ Something to eat 
and a place to sleep. I’ll do your chores for 
288 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


you and — and get ready for your spring work. 
You need somebody.’’ 

‘‘ Who says I need anybody,” cried the old 
man, stubbornly. 

You always hire somebody about this time. 
I can help you just as well. And I — I’ve got 
to work somewhere,” added the boy with par- 
donable duplicity. 

Ha ! got tired of the ragged reg’lars, heh ? 
They tell me they’re starving and desertin’ up 
tliey’re on the Schuylkill. They’ll hang that 
Washington an’ some o’ them other rascals, an’ 
that’ll end it — that’ll end it.” 

Hadley made no reply. He was determined 
to remain dumb under all reproaches and 
flings at his friends and the men whom he ad- 
mired, for the sake of peace. His short cam- 
paining had taught him one thing, if nothing 
more. He had learned to keep still and not 
answer back. 

‘‘ So you’ve come back ter live on me, heh ?” 
began Uncle Ephraim again. But he did not 
assail his nephew quite as hard on this score as 
the latter expected. He grunted a little and 
Anally said : “ Well, you kin feed the stock, 

an’ I’ll go into the house. My rheumatism is 
289 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


bad, an’ these pesky boys round here are so 
lazy I can’t git one ter suit me. It’s a lazy age 
— nobody is willing to give an honest day’s 
work for an honest wage.” 

“ Did you work hard when you were a boy, 
Uncle Ephraim ?” queried Hadley, suddenly. 

Indeed I did. Work ! I reckon you’d 
think so, young man.” 

“ But you weren’t a farmer’s boy ?” 

No. I was a dark,” said Mr. Morris, giv- 
ing the word the old-fashioned pronunciation. 

But we rose at six in my master’s house and 
worked till nine at night. A lazy man could 
not stay there — no, indeed.” 

‘‘ Who was your employer. Uncle?” 

Uncle Ephraim opened his lips, evidently to 
reply. Then he glanced at his nepheAv sus- 
piciously. That doesn’t concarn you !” he 
snapped, and walked away, leaning on his 
gnarled hickory cane. 


290 


CHAPTER XXII 

THE GRAIN 

Hadley made up his mind to bear silently 
all the little indignities which he knew Ephraim 
Morris would heap upon him now he had re- 
turned. He had even allowed Ephraim to be 
deceived regarding his reason for returning to 
the farm at this time. Had he frankly said 
that he had come to nurse and watch over him 
because he was old and needed somebody near, 
Miser Morris would have driven him away 
again. Hadley knew that. But some things 
were hard to bear. Especially was it hard 
when, at dark, the old man brought his neph- 
ew^s supper into the barn and placed it on the 
cover of the feed chest. ‘‘ I allow nobody in- 
side my door now,’’ Ephraim said, bitterly. 
‘‘Since that rascally Brace Alwood was here 
with his troop of rogues I’ve kept everybody 
out, and I’ll not change my way simply because 
291 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


a lazy young beggar has come to live off me. 
There are blankets enough and the hay racks are 
warm.’’ 

But suppose something should happen in 
the night ?” suggested Hadley, doubtfully. 

What ! and you’ve been playing soldier ? 
Ha !” and the old man cackled in derision. 

I mean to you,” returned his nephew, 
bluntly. “ You might need me.” 

Nothin’s happened to me thus far. Master 
Lazybones!” cried the old man, flushing redly. 
“ It seems you grow fearful of my health at a 
late day. Ha ! I tell thee. Nephew, I’ve put 
what money I have scraped together in a safe 
place — where neither you nor others that want 
it shall find it when I’m gone.” 

Hadley wished to ask about the ten thousand 
pounds which Lillian Knowles said had been 
entrusted to Ephraim Morris’s care by her 
grandfather, but dared not. He made no fur- 
ther objection to sleeping and eating in the 
barn ; but a day or two later, finding a heavy 
cowbell, he hung it over the couch he had made 
for himself in the mow, and strung a cord from 
the bell to the rear door of the kitchen. If 
anything should happen that you want me in 
292 


IVith Washington at Valley P'orge 

the night, or when I am working in the stable, 
you can pull that,’’ he told his uncle, and the 
old man grunted but did not request him to 
take the rigging down. 

He was really very feeble, and although he 
talked much about the work of the coming 
spring season, Hadley was quite sure that little 
would be done on that farm. He did everything 
in his power to make his uncle comfortable, 
but as far as appearances went, his efforts were 
not appreciated, and an ulterior motive suggested 
for everything he did. His one friend (the 
neighbors, even those of Tory beliefs kept away) 
was the old hound that had guarded the home- 
stead for many a year. The beast followed its 
master about, whining betimes and looking 
wistfully into the wrinkled and time-seamed 
face. It seemed to realize as well as Hadley, 
that the old man’s course was almost run — that, 
good or bad, his work for this world was well 
nigh over. And it was to the dog alone that 
Uncle Ephraim displayed any tenderness 
whatsoever. Occasionally his hand strayed to 
the loose skin on the hound’s neck, or he rubbed 
its big ears. Hadley never remembered hav- 
ing seen the old man do even that before. 

293 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


But there was something that could stir 
Uncle Ephraim into a semblance of life again, 
and it came within a few days of Hadley^s re- 
appearance at the farm. A courier, riding 
hastily down the wagon track, stopped to throw 
a printed bill at Uncle Ephraim’s feet as he 
sunned himself on the woodpile. It was the or- 
der from General Washington, commanding the 
farmers to thresh their grain and have it ready 
for the teamsters of the American army. Lafe 
Holdnes and his gang’ll be along here shortly 
for your grain,” the rider exclaimed as he 
spurred away again. 

That was a bad time for Hadley. He had 
to listen to the old man vilify General A¥ash- 
ington and the patriot cause without daring to 
open his lips. Indeed, he felt really sorry for 
Uncle Ephraim, for the cause of King George 
was as dear to the old man as the hope of lib- 
erty was to Hadley. 

Give my grain to them ? That I’ll 
not !” declared the farmer. Never — never, 
I say !” 

But they’ll pay you,” Hadley said, timidly. 

‘‘Pay me — pay me in scrip that they won’t 
exchange for gold themselves ! They’d rob 

294 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


me. But I’ll burn the grain up — burn it up, 
barn and all — before they shall have it !” 

But Hadley thought much upon the subject. 
His uncle’s grain was stored in the old barn 
which stood some distance from the house, be- 
yond the newer stable. The first structure had 
been erected before Uncle Ephraim had come 
to the place, and it was built of logs, with a 
roof of long shingles and a straw thatch on top. 
It would burn like tinder if the old man did 
set it alight. And all that good grain — it might 
mean so much to the army ! A deep-rooted in- 
tention to thwart the old man’s determination 
to destroy the product of his farm grew in the 
boy’s mind. 

He was glad now that he had been made to 
sleep in the cold and cheerless barn. As soon 
as he was assured that Uncle Ephraim was still 
that night he went to the grain barn, and by 
the light of a horn lantern hung on a peg, 
labored on the threshing floor until long after 
midnight. It was much too far away from the 
house for his uncle to hear the sound of the 
flail ; but the boy was wearied enough when he 
finally crawled into the hayloft for a few hours’ 
sleep. 


295 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


The next night he labored even longer, and 
the third he worked until the cocks crowed for 
daylight. It was hard work to keep awake all 
day after performing this task ; but Hadley 
remained silent when Uncle Ephraim scolded 
him for yawning about his work, and was only 
glad that the old man did not suspect the reason. 
Every night he had placed the result of his 
threshing into bags and shouldered them out of 
the grain barn, hiding them in an unused crib 
away from the other outbuildings. Before the 
teams which collected the grain for the Ameri- 
can army came into the neighborhood he had 
more than half his uncle’s harvest threshed out. 

Holdness, whom Hadley had not seen since 
they parted that night outside the British lines, 
came one morning to warn the old man to have 
some of his grain ready within a few days, and 
Uncle Ephraim flew into such a rage that both 
the scout and Hadley were afraid for him. The 
boy begged his friend not to come again until 
he was ready to cart away the bags, and told 
him what he was doing at night. 

Good !” exclaimed the Yankee. “ Yeou’ve 
got something in that head of yours, lad. I’ll 
send somebody to-night to help you. No use 
296 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


arousin’ the old man any more. I kin see he’s 
in a bad way.” 

Indeed, Ephraim Morris was getting ex- 
tremely weak, and that night he made no 
objection when Hadley came into the kitchen 
and prepared the supper for them both. 
‘^You’ve I’arned ter cook in camp, I see,” 
the old man said. That’s about the only 
thing ye seem to have I’arned that’s any good 
to ye.” 

But he felt the need of human companion- 
ship, although he would not admit it, and he 
made some excuse to keep his nephew with him 
until* it came his early bedtime. He even 
asked him about the battles he had seen, and 
what he did during the winter, and for the first 
time learned of his visit to Philadelphia. 

‘‘They made ye a spy, did they?” was his 
comment. 

“ Something of one, I suppose,” Hadley ad- 
mitted. “ But somebody has to do that when 
there is war.” 

“ Yes, yes ; I s’pose so. But warn’t ve 
afraid ?” 

“ Not till I saw Lon Alwood.” 

“ Huh ! them boys air wuthless — an’ I tell 
297 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Neighbor Alwood so. Did Lon tell the ’thori- 
ties that you was there?” 

Glad to interest the old man, even in a tale 
which placed his own actions in a disadvan- 
tageous light, Hadley related how he had been 
pursued through the Philadelphia streets, and 
had finally taken refuge in Colonel Creston 
Knowles’ garden. 

And so that man is there, too, is he ?” ex- 
claimed Uncle Ephraim, with interest. 

He and his daughter. She was with him 
over at Master Benson’s. A very kind young 
lady she is, and saved me from being appre- 
hended,” and he told how. 

‘‘Ha! not such a bad girl,” declared Uncle 
Ephraim. Then, as though remembering at 
last that he was a Tory, he reversed this de- 
cision. “ The little hussy ! Aiding in letting 
a spy escape, eh ? That would sound nice for 
the daughter of this Colonel Creston Knowles, 
as he calls himself, if it became known, heh ?” 

“Surely, that is his name, Uncle,” Hadley 
suggested. “You knew him yourself in the 
old country.” 

“ Who told you that ?” demanded the old 
man, angrily. 


298 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


‘‘ Mistress Lillian.’’ 

The farmer dropped his eyes and muttered 
something which Hadley did not hear. Finally, 
however, the boy caught a word or two. The 
boy was wild — wild, indeed. ’Twould do him 
no good.” 

But when Hadley went out and heard the old 
man bolt and chain the door, he wondered if 
Miser Morris was trying to excuse his course to 
himself — was trying to make his retention of the 
trust money belonging to Colonel Knowles ap- 
pear right in his own warped mental sight ? 


299 


CHAPTEE XXIII 


UNCLE EPHKAIM FULFILLS A VOW 

Boldness sent two neighbors, wlio could be 
trusted, to help Hadley with tlie grain that 
night, and before morning the last of it was 
threshed out and the bags removed from the 
barn. Uncle Ephraim never went into the 
place, but the straw was tossed back into the 
mows and looked in the dark as though it had 
not been touched. The boy hoped he was doing 
right; yet it seemed almost like stealing to 
make way with property which did not belong 
to him. Yet the need was so great — and Bold- 
ness had the scrip to pay the miser for his 
grain. The boy tried not to think of the un- 
pleasant side of it, and to only contemplate the 
fact that by his efforts lie had saved some very 
valuable provisions for the American army. 

In the morning Uncle Ephraim appeared, but 
plainly showing evidences of his violent rage 
300 


I'Vith Washington at Valley Forge 


the afternoon before. He was determined to 
keep his precious grain from the American 
army, and with his own shaking hands heaped 
straw and rubbish against the walls of the old 
barn in readiness to apply the torch before 
Holdness came for it. He did not ask Hadley 
to help him ; perhaps he thought his nephew 
would refuse, if he did. 

A neighbor, who was likewise a Tory, had 
called on the old man and told how those 
farmers who refused to thresh their grain and 
sell to General Washington’s teamsters for the 
paper money issued by the patriot Congress, 
had been obliged to stand by and see their 
grain carted away perforce, while they were 
paid only for its value as straw, and that in the 
hated scrip. They shan’t have mine — they 
shan’t have mine !” Hadley heard him mutter 
again and again. But when Uncle Ephraim 
went back to the house, after preparing his 
huge bonfire, he was all but exhausted. Had 
he dared to do so, the boy would have ridden 
off for a doctor to come and see the old 
man. 

But there was really nothing the matter with 
him but the infirmities of age and the effect of 
301 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


years of unnecessary privation. The possession 
of the trust money placed in his hands by his 
old master, the Liverpool merchant, had prob- 
ably changed Ephraim Morris’s whole nature. 
The sight of the gold had made him a miser. 
Its possession had stirred a very fiend within 
him, and while possessing plenty, he had be- 
grudged himself, as well as those about him, 
even the necessary things of life. 

There was nothing a doctor could do, and 
Hadley realized that. At noon he went into 
the house again, and Uncle Ephraim made no 
objections while he prepared the dinner. In- 
deed, the old man seemed rather glad to have 
somebody to talk to, and he showed plainly on 
what subject his mind was running, when he 
made his nephew repeat the story of his adven- 
tures in Philadelphia, and especially those con- 
nected with Colonel Knowles and his daughter. 
Uncle Ephraim sat in his arm-chair and listened, 
nodding his head now and then, but never look- 
ing into Hadley’s eyes. He ate the dinner the 
boy prepared, in silence. He still sat at the 
table when his nephew went out again, and as 
Hadley opened the door, he heard his uncle 
mutter : 


302 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


‘‘ No, no ! I am too old. I cannot give it 
up V 

Hadley believed Uncle Ephraim was think- 
ing of the trust fund ; but he still dared not 
ask a question regarding it. After going out, 
however, he went into the orchard, wading 
through the knee-deep drifts, and looked at the 
place where he had seen the money bags buried 
so many months before. Perhaps — the thought 
made an unbidden tear come to his eyes — he 
would be able to dig that gold up and give it 
to Colonel Knowles, with a clear conscience, 
before long. Uncle Ephraim was surely grow- 
ing weaker. 

One of the neighbor's lads, whom Hadley 
knew, trotted heavily along the farm lane, late 
in the afternoon, and stopped to shout the news 
to the misePs nephew. “ Lafe Holdness is downi 
to the Three Oaks, with a lot of wagons and a 
troop of sojers on horseback declared the ex- 
cited youth. Theyh'e a-comin’ over here to- 
raorrer morning, arter Miser Morrises grain,’^ 
and he dug his heels into his plow horse’s sides 
and clattered on again. 

Hadley hoped that his uncle had not heard, 
but when he looked around the corner of the 


303 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


woodshed, there was the old man hobbling up 
and down before the back door, pounding his 
cane upon the well-beaten path and muttering 
to himself. It was quite evident that he had 
heard, and it completely soured him for the rest 
of the day. His smouldering rage against Lafe 
Holdness and the cause he represented made 
him ‘‘at outs with his nephew, too, and 
Hadley was not allowed in the kitchen that 
night. The old man brought his supper out 
to him, and later when Hadley tried the 
back door, he found it barred against him. 
Uncle Ephraim had grimly shut himself up 
again. 

It was useless to knock ; Hadley knew that. 
He completed the chores and then went to bed 
in the loft of the horse-barn where the old cow- 
bell hung over his couch to awaken him if Uncle 
Ephraim should really need his presence at the 
liouse. He was therefore sound asleep when, 
rather late in the evening, the back door of the 
farmhouse was quietly opened, and his uncle, 
wrapped in a heavy greatcoat, came out. The 
sharp night air set the old man to coughing, but 
he closed the door behind him and went down 
tlie path which Hadley had shoveled and which 

304 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


led from one outbuilding to another until, at its 
farther end, Uncle Ephraim stopped before the 
door of the old log structure in which, as he 
supposed, were stored the fruits of his fields 
which he was so determined should never be 
devoted to the cause of liberty. 

He did not carry a lantern because he feared 
its light might be observed. In the pocket of 
his greatcoat was a flask of whale oil — almost 
the only burning fluid used by the colonists at 
that day. Approaching the log barn as though 
bent upon some crime against his neighbors, 
instead of his own property, Ephraim Morris 
pulled the wooden stopper from this flask and 
sprinkled the contents upon the refuse piled 
against the walls. He did not open the door, 
which was fastened with a heavy padlock. In 
entering the building at night to thresh the 
grain, Hadley had drawn the staple which held 
the padlock, afterward driving it into the door 
frame again. 

From the other outside pocket of his coat the 
old man brought forth a cowhorn containing 
gunpowder. Some of this he sprinkled in a 
sheltered corner, and then, with an old gun- 
flint and a bit of iron, Jie produced a spark 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


which ignited the explosive compound and the 
flash caught the straw piled against the log 
wall. Miser Morris stumbled back, choking 
and gasping, for the powder smoke entered his 
nostrils and set him to coughing. But his work 
was done. The weather-beaten logs, from the 
interstices of which hung ragged strips of bark, 
burned like tinder, and the growing flames raced 
along the foundation of the old barn, leaping 
higher and higher. 

He hurried back to the house, chuckling and 
coughing alternately; he had made up his mind 
to the loss of his grain ; he was delighted to 
think that the American army would not get 
any of it. But he feared Lafe Holdness and 
his troopers, and did not wish anybody to know 
that he had fired the barn. 

The burning building stood some distance 
from any other structure on the farm ; but the 
old man had neglected to take into considera- 
tion the velocity of the wind, and its direction. 
After returning to the farmhouse and barring 
his door again, he peered through the end 
window and saw the flames leaping higher and 
higher, and the column of smoke rising against 
the deep indigo of the sky, with considerable 

306 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


satisfaction. But soon the barn roof caught and 
then the sparks began to fly. 

The wind tore the burning thatch away and 
carried it whirling high into the air. The sky 
began to glow from the reflection of the confla- 
gration, and flaming brands, carried on the 
breast of the gale, began dropping among the 
other buildings. Fortunately the dwelling 
house was not in the range of these, but the 
danger to his stock and newer barns filled the 
old man with sudden fear. 

Out he rushed, forgetting his weakness and 
age, and with a heavy hickory broom which 
Hadley used to sweep up the litter in the stable, 
and which he found outside the stable door, he 
began to beat out the blazing brands which fell 
amid the straw in the barnyard. But at first 
he thought nothing of his nephew asleep on 
his couch in the stable loft. It was only his 
barns and cattle for which he was afraid. 

The roar of the flames grew and a great 
canopy of smoke drifted over the Morris home- 
stead. Out of this cloud the sparks dropped 
faster and faster, now on the roofs, now on the 
ground. The corner of the new barn caught 
and began to burn briskly. There was a 
307 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


roughly-made ladder lying near, and this the 
old man sought to lift against the eaves so that 
he might reach this new fire. 

But the strength acquired by the excitement 
now left him. The half-raised ladder fell to 
the snow. He could not lift it again. He was 
forced to see the conflagration on the new barn 
roof spread, and to see the corn crib next it like- 
wise catch fire. His property, set burning by his 
own hand in an attempt to worst those whom 
he considered his enemies, was being destroyed 
before his very eyes, and he was helpless ! 

The neighbors were too far away to reach the 
scene of the fire in season to be of any use. 
Indeed, they might not know of it at all until 
morning. He was alone and must sit where he 
had fallen upon a rough log, and watch the 
flames lick up the property which he counted 
so precious. Alone — 

And then he remembered Hadley for the first 
time. He started to his feet, trembling, wild- 
eyed, almost breathless. His nephew must still 
be in the- stable-loft asleep ! He tottered to the 
main door of the barn and beat feebly upon it. 
It was barred on the inside and the only way to 
enter was by a rear and smaller door. But his 
308 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


strength would not allow of his reaching that 
entrance. 

‘‘ Hadley ! Hadley !’’ he groaned. ‘‘ The boy 
will be burned alive ! I shall have killed him 
— I am the cause of his death To his excited 
imagination his nephew's end was already ac- 
complished. 

But suddenly he was aware of the fact that 
several of the cattle were careering through the 
barnyard, heads down and tails in the air, bel- 
lowing with fright, running from the burning 
barn. How had they escaped from their 
stanchions ? The next moment his own horses 
tore by and he heard the crack of a whip be- 
hind them. They were being driven away from 
the vicinity of the burning stable, for horses are 
proverbially foolish when caught by a fire, and 
seem only desirous of returning to their stalls 
for safety. Behind these came another horse, 
which was being led with a coat over its head. 
It was Black Molly, and Uncle Ephraim well- 
nigh dropped to the snow when he recognized 
the leader of the mare as Hadley. 

Delivering a hearty slap upon the animal's 
flank and dragging his coat from her head, the 
boy sent her galloping after the other half- 
309 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


crazed stock. Then he saw his uncle, and ran 
to him. 

‘‘The barn^s bound to go, Uncle he ex- 
claimed. “ I’ve got all the stock out ; the hogs 
went into the orchard. Black Molly ran back 
into her stall once and I had to go in again after 
her. The whole ^nd of the barn is afire now. 
Why, sir, what is the matter?” for Uncle Eph- 
raim had fairly fallen into his arms, and now 
hung about his neck. 

“ I — I thought you had not been awakened, 
Hadley !” gasped the farmer. Then he caught 
his breath and braced himself again. “ Take 
me back to the house and — and let the 
buildings go. You can do nothing more.” 
And leaning heavily on the shoulder of the 
wondering youth, Ephraim Morris turned his 
back upon his burning outbuildings and suffered 
Hadley to lead him in and lay him upon his 
high-post bed. 


310 


CHAPTER XXIV 

THE CANDLE BURNS OUT 

Hadley could do nothing further to save his 
uncle’s property. The stock had all escaped in 
safety, for he had thought of the poor dumb 
beasts the moment he awoke in the stable loft 
and realized that the roof was ablaze; but there 
was no possible metliod of retarding the further 
progress of the flames. During the next two 
hours he watched the conflagration from the 
kitchen window, fearing that the wind would 
change its direction suddenly and shower the 
flying brands and sparks upon the house and 
the nearer outbildings. Uncle Ephraim lay on 
the bed in a partial stupor, utterly unnerved by 
the excitement. 

Before dawn, so fiercely had the fire burned, 
the old barn was but a heap of smoking ashes 
and the new stable and corn crib a mass of glow- 
ing coals. None of the neighbors appeared un- 
311 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


til after this, for the fire had not been observed 
during the night and the Morris homestead was 
at best in a lonely place. The column of smoke 
rising from the ruins, however, brought the 
curious flocking to the farmstead at a time when 
their presence was more than useless. These 
people Hadley was obliged to meet and keep out 
of the house, for Uncle Ephraim had just 
dropped into a troubled doze and the boy 
knew that he ought not to be disturbed. He 
begged the curious ones to go away because 
of the old man^s illness, and some of them 
showed some appreciation of his position by 
catching the wandering stock for him and 
shutting them into one of the sheds which had 
been uninjured. 

Hadley did the necessary chores under diffi- 
culties, having to run and look at his uncle 
every few moments, for he did not know how 
the old man might be when he awoke. Before 
this occurred Lafe Holdness and his assistants, 
with several wagons, appeared. Hadley got 
this caravan out of sight from the kitchen 
windows, and begged Holdness to allow the men 
to make no noise while they were loading the 
grain which he had worked so hard to save for 
312 


Washington at Valley Forge 


them. He felt vast relief when the teams had 
creaked away toward the river. 

‘‘You keep these vouchers yourself, Had,” 
Holdness advised, before he rode off after the 
wagons. “ By the look of things I sh’d say the 
old man wasn’t long for this airth, an’ the prop- 
erty ’ll be yourn anyway purty soon. No use 
stirring him up by tellin’ him he has over- 
reached himself. Ye done nobly, lad, an’ I’ll 
see that somebody higher up ’n me knows it, 
too !” 

There was no need for Hadley to be told that 
Uncle Ephraim was not long for this life. When 
he would lie abed and allow his nejdiew to do 
about as he pleased, there certainly was some- 
thing serious the matter with him. In the 
afternoon Hadley saddled Black Molly and rode 
to the mills for the doctor. The physician 
came back with him and told Uncle Ephraim 
that he had “ Just dropped in to make a friendly’ 
call, as he happened to be passing that way.” 
But Uncle Ephraim received him with some 
sourness. 

“ There haint nothin’ the matter with me. 
Dr. Birdsall,” he growled. “ I don’t need none 
o’ your jallop, nor your tonics. You can’t do 
313 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


me no good. I’m old — old ! That’s all that’s the 
matter with me.” 

You must eat more strengthening food and 
take a little of this tonic that I have brought 
you, Mr. Morris,” the doctor said, soothingly, 
bringing a bottle forth from his skirt-tail 
pocket. 

My food’s suited me all my life,” declared 
Uncle Ephraim, with considerable vigor. “ Poor 
folks can’t afford many luxuries. And I never 
see any good in such stuff, anyway. You can 
take the tonic back with you, too, John Bird- 
sail.” 

So the doctor departed, shaking his head, and 
left the old man’s nephew to wait upon and nurse 
him as best he could. And it was no easy task. 
Not that Uncle Ephraim was as cross as usual, 
for he wasn’t; but he seemed to dread being left 
alone for a moment, and Hadley could scarce 
'find time to perform the necessary duties out- 
side the house. He desired his nephew to talk 
to him all the time, too, and the boy related his 
adventures with the American troops over and 
over again during the next few days. 

Once the old man said, curiously : ‘‘ Your 
heart’s so bound up in that Mr. Washington and 

314 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


his rebellion, why did you come back here, 
Hadley V’’ 

Oh, you see, there is nothing to be done while 
it is winter,^’ the boy returned, evasively. *‘They 
are only drilling and getting ready to fight 
when it comes warm enough, and they get 
clothing and ammunition.^’ 

“ Ha ! what do they know about drilling ?” 
snapped Uncle Ephraim. “ Those ragamuf- 
fins !” 

‘‘ They’re learning a good deal. There has 
come over from Germany a very great drill- 
master — a baron he is, Baron von Steuben — 
and they tell me that he is doing wonders at 
Valley Forge, even with the raw recruits.” 

Again the old man said : ‘‘ If you’d had 
your way, nephew, I s’pose all that grain I 
burned would have gone to Mr. Washington’s 
army ?” 

Hadley nodded, but did not speak. He felt 
conscience-smitten when he thought of how he 
had deceived the old man. 

I s’pose it would have meant much to them. 
— much to them,” muttered Uncle Ephraim. 
“ Ha ! well, they might have had it, I s’pose. 
The barns would have been saved then — and 


315 


f/Vith Washington at Valley Forge 


you’d have been glad to give it to them, 
nephew ?” 

You can’t imagine how much they need food, 
and provision for the beasts, Uncle,” declared 
the boy. Then he told of the sentinel whom 
he saw the morning he escaped from Philadel- 
phia, and of the sufferings of others in the 
camp which he had observed. 

Ha ! there must be something behind all this 
to make men fight so determinedly against their 
king,” declared the old man. 

He was silent a long time after this outburst ; 
but once he said, as though the question were 
forced from him, and he did not look at his 
nephew as he asked it : ‘‘ If you had money, 
lad, I s’pose it would all go to these rebels — the 
farm and all?” 

Not the farm. Uncle,” Hadley said. But 
I’d give my money if I had any. The farm 
could lie fallow till the war was ended. Then 
I’d make my living off it.” 

Bah ! wasteful as usual, boy !” the other 
declared. 

Yet Ephraim Morris’s manner toward his 
nephew gradually changed. He cannot be 
said to have shown him affection ; yet perhaps 
316 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


he went as far in that direction as his j^oor 
warped nature would allow. And he certainly 
did not wish the boy to be out of his sight a 
moment of his waking hours. 

It was only a day or two after the doctor^s 
visit that the old man suddenly had a great 
desire to examine his private papers. They 
were in a lacquered box, curiously inwrought 
with bits of mother-of-pearl — quite a fine speci- 
men of the cabinetmaker’s art — and the box 
was in the old Dutch oven in the chimney. 
Hadley climbed upon a stool, opened the oven, 
and reached the box out. There was nothing 
else in the cupboard. There were no more bags 
of coin like those which he had seen his uncle 
remove that night the fall before. 

Uncle Ephraim opened the box with a key 
that he carried on a leather thong about his 
neck. Hadley did not go near him, but heard 
the papers rustle, and from the other end of the 
kitchen saw the old man unfold a long docu- 
ment and read it through. He could not fail 
to see that it had an illuminated heading and 
was, doubtless, a legal document. It was not 
hard to guess that the paper was the old man’s 
will. 


317 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Mr. Morris hid this paper under his pillow 
and shut the box again before he called his 
nephew to him. What did Dr. Birdsall say 
about me, nephew?’’ he asked, in a stronger 
voice than he had assumed for some days. Had- 
ley was frightened, for he did not know whether 
it was best to tell him what the physician’s 
opinion had been ; yet he did not wish to tell a 
falsehood. He had sailed too near the wind in 
that matter already. Speak up, boy, and tell 
me. I be’n’t afraid to die, if so I must,” con- 
cluded the old man ; but I want to know the 
truth.” 

He said you were very weak. Uncle,” de- 
clared the boy, at last. ‘‘ If you would eat a 
little differently, and perhaps drink some of 
that strong tonic he left you — ” 

‘‘And he’ll be sending me in a bill for it at 
twice its value, I’ve no doubt !” snarled the 
miser. But then he was silent for a little, and 
finally said, more mildly : “ There’s no use put- 
ting false strength into a man. If my time has 
come, it’s come, an’ that’s all there is to it.” 
Then he suddenly drew the parchment-like 
document from beneath his pillow and shook it 
at the boy. “ D’ye know what that is ? It’s my 

318 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


will. I made it when you left me and went into 
the army.^^ 

‘‘ Yes, sir,’^ said Hadley, but made no further 
comment. As he was turning away, however, 
the old man called him back. His eyes sparkled 
from underneath his shaggy brows, as he pro- 
pounded this question : Would you give my 

money to this Mr. Washington, if so be I left 
it to you V 

I — I — no, sir blurted out Hadley. 

Well, what would you do with it, then 

I — Pd see if you really had that ten thou- 
sand pounds in trust for Colonel Knowles, and, 
if you did, I’d give it to him,” said the boy, 
half fearing that the words would cause the old 
man much rage. 

But in truth Uncle Ephraim’s face paled and 
he looked away from his nephew, quickly. “ So, 
that’s how you’d waste my money, is it ?” he mut- 
tered, and said nothing more aloud for a long 
time. 

By and by, when it grew toward evening, 
Hadley had to attend to the horses and cattle, 
and was absent from the house for perhaps an 
hour. When he returned, he was startled to 
find Uncle Ephraim out of bed. He was 

319 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


kneeling beside the couch, and, when the boy 
ran forward and touched him, he found that 
the old man was quite unconscious. He raised 
him hastily, and so wasted was his body that 
this exertion was but slight for the boy. 

Had there been any nearby neighbors, Had- 
ley would have run for assistance. But left to 
his own resources, he did what he could to bring 
the old man back to consciousness, and at last 
had the satisfaction of seeing Uncle Ephraim’s 
eyes open again. I — I’m all right,” he gasped, 
but Hadley doubted the truth of that, very 
much. His uncle lay, picking at tlie comforter 
which covered him, his eyes wandering about 
the room for a little. Suddenly, he started up 
on his pillow and asked, with some excitement : 

Did I do it, Hadley ?” 

It’s all riglit. Uncle. Lie down again — 
everything is all right,” said the boy ; but he 
liad no idea to what he referred. The old man 
lay down, however, as though relieved. Hadley 
saw his eyes close, and he stole away to put a 
new log on the lire. On the hearth was a little 
heap of ashes and charred paper. Uncle 
Ephraim had crept as far as the fireplace and 
had destroyed something while his nephew was 
320 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


outside. It was the effort of doing this which 
had caused his fainting spell. 

The old man could eat nothing, and finally 
he whispered to his nephew to come and sit be- 
side him. His knotted fingers, wandering over 
the coverlet, found Hadley’s hand and clutched 
it with almost a painful grip. His speech be- 
gan to wander a little, and the boy, with difii- 
culty, kept back his sobs, for he knew that a 
life was going out and that he would be alone 
in the presence of death before morning. Yet 
he could not leave his uncle now to bring any 
neighbor. The old man would not allow him 
even to get up from his chair beside the bed. 

So you would give my gold away, would 
you ?” he once asked, with some harshness, 
raising his head and looking sternly at the boy. 
But then he dropped into a doze again, and 
after that showed no vindictiveness at all. Later 
he babbled enough, in a broken manner, to 
prove to the anxious listener that the story of 
the trust fund, as related to him by Mistress 
Lillian Knowles, was true. Once he squeezed 
his nephew’s hand tighter, and whispered : 

‘‘You’ll give it back to them, nephew? You 
surely will ? Then I shall have peace.” 

321 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


“ I’ll make everything all right, Uncle,” the 
boy declared, the tears coursing down his 
cheeks. 

That’s a good lad — that’s a good lad. I — 
wish — now — I’d — given — ye — that — grain,” he 
muttered, and afterward relapsed into utter 
silence, his breath coming and going faintly. 

There was an unsnuffed candle burning on 
the table, and Hadley, his hand still clasped by 
the old man, watched it for a long while. The 
flame grew longer, and the burned wick curled 
over and fell into the puddle of grease in the 
candlestick. The light flickered more and more 
as the taper grew shorter, and finally, with a 
last flash, and a puff of ill-smelling smoke, it 
went out. 

Hadley rose hastily to pinch out the smoulder- 
ing spark. But the fingers which gripped his 
hand held him back. They had become stiff- 
ened in their grasp, and were icy cold. While 
he, half asleep, had watched the flame. Uncle 
Ephraim’s light had gone out. 


322 


CHAPTER XXV 

THE BUSHWHACKERS AGAIN 

When old Miser Morris, as they called him 
in scorn so many years, was really dead, the 
neighbors, as though conscious-stricken for 
their neglect of him and of his nephew during 
the last days of the farmer’s existence, were 
eager to come in and help prepare the body for 
burial and — incidentally — to look over the 
house which had been so long shut up except- 
ing in the L-part where the old man lived 
alone. But Hadley was old enough to govern 
affairs himself, and his uncle’s death had aged 
him a good bit, for the time being at least. He 
was determined not to have these curious peo- 
ple over-run the old house, and he had his 
way. 

Mistress Benson and Jonas were his best 
friends at this time. He had seen little of 
them during the time he had spent here at the 
323 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


farmhouse, and he did not know how the inn- 
keeper^s wife felt toward him. But she put 
her prejudices to one side and played the part of 
the really kind-hearted woman that she was, 
when she heard of the boy^s being left alone 
with the dead farmer. The funeral was a very 
quiet one, and Ephraim Morris was laid beside 
Hadley^s mother in the little fenced-in en- 
closure in one corner of the farm which the old 
man had set aside himself as a burial lot. 

Now I shall go hack to the cam]) at Valley 
Forge, Jonas, after I find somebody to take the 
stock here. I shall shut everything up until the 
war is over — 

And the old man really left it all to you, 
Hadley?’’ exclaimed the innkeeper. ‘‘Well, 
that’s decenter than I expected of him.” 

“ He destroyed a will he had made — one, I 
think, which left the property in some other 
way. There are no other heirs that I know of, 
so it comes to me. But I shall do nothing with 
it, nor try to, until I get back from the army 
again. And this time I shall stay as long as I 
am of any use.” 

“ And I’ll look out for the stock, lad, and the 
place, too. Nothing shall be done with it until 

324 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


you come back — I give you my word. You 
keep Black Molly, for slices a ’better riding 
horse than your uncle’s w'ork-horses.” 

And so Hadley determined to sleep one more 
night in the old house after the funeral. The 
snow was still deep on the ground and the earth 
itself was frozen. It would be foolish to dig 
for the buried gold which he was sure Uncle 
Ephraim had hidden in the orchard. Colonel 
Knowles would have to wait for his ten thou- 
sand pounds, if so be it was there under the old 
apple tree, until the frost was out of the ground. 

Jonas had offered to send somebody to remain 
with Hadley that night, but the youth saw no 
reason for it. He had not been afraid to remain 
alone with the body of his uncle, why should he 
be fearful of an empty house now ? He was not 
of a superstitious turn of mind ; few people 
with really good digestion and clear consciences 
are. Such harm as Ephraim Morris had done 
was accomplished while he was alive ; his end 
had been peaceful, and if he had done wrong 
and been tempted beyond his strength by the 
possession of the trust fund confided to him by 
his old employer, Hadley could not help feeling 
that his punishment in this life had been 
325 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


greater even that any which might follow in a 
future existence. 

Ephraim Morris, because he had been un- 
faithful to his trust, had become warped and 
mean as to his nature — had been disliked by 
his neighbors, shunned by everybody, and had 
spent a lonely, cheerless life. Thus our sins 
and wrong doings always bring in their train 
their own punishment, and whether such pun- 
ishment is attributed to natural ” causes or not, 
the fact remains that the sinner has ample 
cause for repentance. 

So Hadley went to bed that night in the high- 
post bed in the kitchen which the old man had 
occupied for so many years, without a tremor 
or suspicion of evil. Nevertheless evil came, 
though not through any supernatural agency. 
He had long been asleep when suddenly his 
dreams were disturbed by the howling of the 
old hound outside the door. He leaped up in 
bed. The sound was not repeated, and, believ- 
ing the watchdog to be merely mourning (the 
beast had acted very much depressed since 
Uncle Ephraim’s death), he lay down again. 

Instantly there was a crash at the kitchen 
door. The butt of a heavy log had been flung 
326 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


against it, and with sufficient force to tear hasp 
and chain away from the woodwork. The door 
flew open and there plunged into the room sev- 
eral figures, whose identity Hadley Morris sus- 
pected before they reached the bed. Two of 
these nocturnal visitors flung themselves upon 
him as he lay in the bed, and he recognized 
one as Lon Alwood. Several others followed 
the first group into the house, and the captive 
saw that Brace Alwood was their leader. 
Evidently he had brought the same troop of 
bushwhackers with him which, once before, he 
had led against the Morris homestead. 

Hadley was bound around with strong ropes 
and then laid back upon the bed like a chicken 
ready for the spit. Tlien Brace came over to 
him and examined the cords to see that they 
were perfectly secure. The elder Alwood was 
a black-browed, savage looking man with a 
scarred face and eyes which narrowed cruelly as 
he contemplated the prisoner. 

Seein’s the old man has died before we got 
here, I reckon wefll have to do our business with 
you, young sir,^’ he said. You played the spy 
and kept us from being successful when we 
made the miser a visit before. Td have toasted 


327 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


his feet over the fire but I’d got at his hoard of 
gold that time, if it hadn’t been for you — you 
little rat !” He could not keej) his hands off 
the helpless lad, but pinched his arm cruelly. 

Now you’ll tell us where the money’s hid — 
you’ve not had time to get it away since the old 
rascal died, so don’t say that !” 

Such money as I have is in the pockets of 
my clothing yonder,” Hadley declared, firmly. 

Lon had already been through those, and now 
came to the bedside and showed his brother 
three or four gold pieces. At the sight of these 
the elder Alwood’s eyes sparkled. “ Ha !” he 
cried. Where these jolly-boys came from 
there must be a-plenty. Now, young sir, speak 
up and tell us the hiding place of the old 
miser’s wealth,” and he struck Hadley a sting- 
ing blow on the side of his face. 

The eyes of the helpless youth blazed. 
You contemptible coward !” he exclaimed. 
You strike me because I am helpless. Let 
me up and give me a fair chance for myself and 
I warrant I’d give you as good as you’d re- 
turn !” 

But another heavy blow from his cruel cap- 
tor halted these useless threats, and brought the 
328 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


blood to bis cut lips. Stop all such talk as 
that and tell me where the money is hid,” com- 
manded Brace Alwood, while Lon stood anx- 
iously by, his freckled face a-grin. 

As far as I know there is no more money in 
the house,” Hadley said, honestly. 

“ Donh tell that to me !” cried Brace, raising 
his hand again. 

I am telling you the truth. Uncle Eph- 
raim died without telling me where he had 
hidden his money. The few gold-pieces that 
were in the box with his private papers I took. 
Some I spent to pay the funeral debts. The 
others Lon holds in his hand.” 

The heavy hand of the bully descended again, 
and with a harsh, ’Tis not so, boy !” Brace 
turned away to speak with his crew. Lon re- 
mained to gloat over his enemy. 

^‘You got the best of me in Philadelphia, 
and got me discharged from Colonel Knowles’ 
place,” he snarled. '' But I’ll get square now. 
Had Morris ! And I know there’s plenty of 
money here somewhere. Miser Morris had a 
lot that belonged to Colonel Knowles, and 
wouldn’t give it up to him, too. You can’t tell 
me. I heard it talked about while I was there. 


329 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


Even that servant, William, knows about it. 
And Brace and me are going to get that money 
— don’t you fear !” 

‘‘ I wish you luck,” muttered Hadley, de- 
fiantly. 

Lon’s reply was a blow, too ; he had his 
enemy at his mercy now and he was just the 
sort of a person to play the part of a tyrant. 
Suddenly Brace returned to the bedside. 

Where is that box you speak of?” he de- 
manded. The box where Miser Morris kept 
his papers ?” 

Hadley told him and one of the men climbed 
up and drew the box from the oven. They 
broke it open and Brace and his brother looked 
hastily through the documents therein. On one 
sheet of parchment was a lot of figuring in the 
old man’s crabbed hand. These figures seemed 
to interest the Alwoods mightily. Hadley 
heard Lon whisper to his brother : That ac- 
counts for more than twelve thousand pounds. 
D’ye think he really had so much. Brace ?” 

No knowin’ how much belonged to Colonel 
Knowles — a plague on him ! The old man was 
a thief as well as a miser. Twelve thousand 
pounds !” He uttered the words lingeringly 
330 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


and his eyes glowed again. He stepped back to 
the bed once more. 

“ AVe’ll not play with you, young sir!” he 
exclaimed, bending down so that Hadley could 
see his wicked face plainly in the candle-light. 
“ Miser Morris had gold — gold — purses full of 
it ! And we shall carry it away with us when 
we go back to the river to-night. We shall not 
fail this time. You shall tell us where it is con- 
cealed.” 

I tell you on my honor that Uncle Ephraim 
did not confide in me,” declared Hadley through 
his 'Stiffening lips. If he had gold he told me 
nothing of it.” 

“ I don^t believe you !” exclaimed the bully, 
and his huge fist was poised over the face of the 
helpless boy. Lon grabbed his brother’s hairy 
wrist. 

“ Have a care. Brace !” he cried, warningly. 

If you strike him and stun him, he can tell 
us nothing.” 

‘‘Right!” returned the other. “We’ll not 
stun him. Nay, we’ll let him know he is very 
much alive, indeed. Here, you rascals ! bear a 
hand here.” 

Two of the party of eight or ten who had 
331 


PVith Washington at Valley Forge 


come into the kitchen, came forward. They 
had heaped wood upon the fire and the room 
was warm and comfortable now, for the door 
had been shut. At Brace Atwood’s command 
the men lifted Hadley and bore him to the 
hearth. 

Now,” said the leader, scowling blackly 
upon him, “ you shall tell us where the miser’s 
gold is hidden or you’ll roast ! Hold his feet 
out there to the blaze, Stephen. Let him have 
a taste of it, an’ he’ll speak the quicker.” 

Two or three of the fellows murmured at the 
inhuman treatment, but Brace silenced them 
instantly. ‘‘Ye are all alike in this,” he de- 
clared. “ We’ll all share, and you’ll take your 
part of the gold as quick as the next — I know 
ye ! So be still !” Then he turned once more 
to the thoroughly frightened prisoner. “ Now, 
out with it, Hadley Morris ! Tell what you 
know, or your feet shall wither in that fire !” 

“ I tell you he revealed nothing to me,” 
gasped the youth. 

“ Nay — it will not do !” cried Brace. “ I 
mean all I say. If you don’t want to travel 
through life a cripple, tell me where the money 
is. It may not be in the house ; I don’t care 

332 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


where it has been put — I’ll get it ! D’ye hear 
me r 

His vexation at the boy’s obstinacy was so 
great that he could scarce keep his hands off 
him. He seized a blazing brand from the 
hearth suddenly and held the flame against the 
bare flesh of Hadley’s ankle. The sudden pain 
brought a scream of agony from the tortured 
boy’s lips and he writhed in the arms of the men 
who held him. 

Tell me where it is !” commanded Brace, 
leaning over him and glaring like a wolf at its 
prey. I’ll roast your feet till the flesh drops 
from the bones if you don’t ! Mind that, 
now.” 

The pain of the burn was great, and in spite 
of his every effort the tears coursed down the 
cheeks of the prisoner. The thought of the 
horrible torture in store for him almost made 
him faint ; yet he would not tell what he knew 
about old Ephraim Morris’s hidden hoard. 
Had the gold been his uncle’s in fee simple, and 
therefore by course of nature his own, he might 
have told at once. Wealth looked very small 
to Hadley Morris at that moment, as compared 
with safety. The thought of being crippled by 
333 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


this barbarous method was awful — unbearable. 
Yet if he told of his uncle’s hiding place in the 
orchard he would be sacrificing the ten thou- 
sand pounds which Uncle Ephraim had felo- 
niously kept from Colonel Knowles for so long ; 
he could never repay Lillian’s kindness by 
giving her father the sum which rightfully be- 
longed to him. Besides, to betray the secret 
seemed dishonorable when some person other 
than himself would be the most injured. 

‘‘ Speak up, there !” growled Brace, looking 
for another brand. 

Tell, lad !” begged one of those who held 
him. Brutal as these men were, the suffering 
which they knew would be visited upon the 
youth horrified them. ‘We’ll only have to tell 
in the end, and then — well, ’twill do you no 
manner o’ good to go on crutches for the rest of 
thy days.” 

Brace scowled at the fellow but waited a mo- 
ment longer. Suddenly, as though beside him- 
self at the boy’s obstinacy, he seized his ex- 
tremities and thrust them toward the scorching 
flames. But before the blaze could lick the 
boy’s flesh there came a deafening report in the 
room ; the whole party were half blinded by 
334 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


the flash which accompanied it, and Brace 
Alwood plunged forward upon the hearth. He 
lay without moving, while, for a few seconds, 
the astounded bushwhackers neither moved 
nor spoke. 


335 


CHAPTEE XXVI 

THE miser’s gold 

Those few seconds of horrified inaction 
marked the Tories’ undoing, for, expecting no 
enemies, they had left their steeds tied in the 
rear of the house, without either guard or sen- 
tinel. Eiding by cross-road and byway to the 
river, where arrangements had been made with 
Farmer iilwood to have Black Sam in readiness 
to ferry them over the stream. Brace had ex- 
pected to acquire the miser’s treasure and escape 
again to the British lines without being molested 
by the American light-horse then scouring the 
territory. But the plot miscarried. 

Ere the astounded men could seize their guns 
which had been stacked in a corner of the big 
kitchen, the window through which the single 
shot had been fired, and the doorway as well, 
were bristling with weapons. Hadley, half- 
fainting from the reaction, had been dropped by 
336 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


the two men who were obeying Brace Alwood’s 
cruel mandate ; but a well-remembered voice 
rang out, arousing both the prisoner and the 
remaining Tories. ‘‘ Surrender, ye scoundrels, 
or ye’ll all foller yon black-hearted villain ! 
Not a glance toward your weapons there. We’ve 
more guns p’intin’ at ye than are stacked in that 
corner.” 

The Tories were in no mood to doubt the 
statement, or to make a dash for liberty. When 
Lafe Holdness strode into the room they were 
as meek as lambs and allowed him to remove 
their side-arms. Lon was sobbing over his 
brother, and for the moment the Yankee paid 
no attention to him, but instead quickly severed 
Hadley’s bonds and lifted him to his feet. 

Jefers-pelters !” exclaimed the scout, ‘‘ that 
was a leetle the nearest call yeou’ll ever have ter 
gittin’ toasted, I reckon. That’s a bad burn on 
your laig, Had. Lenime put some of my salve 
on it,” and out came the old man’s never-failing 
pouch, and the burn was dressed in a masterly 
manner before he allowed the boy to put on his 
clothing. 

While Hadley was dressing in the far corner 
of the room, Lafe sat on the bed and related 
337 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the incidents which led to the sudden and un- 
expected rescue of his young friend. Mebbe 
these niggers have got black hides/’ he ob- 
served, “but some of ’em own white souls jest the 
same ! And that Black Sam’s one. ’Taint the 
first time he’s done somethin’ for us — ’member 
haow he helped yeou ’cross the river the night 
yeou carried them dispatches to His Excel- 
lency ? Wal, he heered talk last night of this 
raid, though I reckon old man Alwood didn’t 
know ’zactly what Brace was up to in coming 
over this side o’ the river. But Sam got the 
news ter me — never mind haow. I’d stopped 
’em at the ferry, but we was a leetle too late. 
Then I reckoned they was bound for here, 
I’arnin’ that old Miser Morris was dead. I didn’t 
know whether you’ left or not. But you’re goin’ 
back to the Forge, I s’pose. Had ?” 

“ Not at once,” Hadley said, slowly. “ I 
have a duty to perform first, I believe. And 
after this raid I shall never feel easy in my mind 
until it is done. But I won’ t forget that you 
saved me this time, old friend. I don’t know 
how to thank you,” and he got Holdness’ hand 
and squeezed it gratefully. 

“ Tut, tut !” exclaimed the scout, carelessly. 

338 



"SURRENDER, YE SCOUNDRELS!" 


. 



JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


It’s all in a day’s work. I happened to be 
scouring the country for more fodder. But I 
go into Philadelphia to-morrow or next day.” 

‘‘ Do you dare ?” gasped Hadley. 

The old man laughed. “ I still am a plain 
teamster and am useful to the British yonder,” 
he said. 

Hadley forgot the pain of his burn and seized 
the Yankee’s sleeve. ‘‘Take me in with you 
again, Lafe.” 

“ What for, lad ? It might not be so easy for 
yeou ter git through the lines.” 

“ I’ll tell you later, Lafe,” said the boy, drop- 
ping back on the bed himself now. “ The cor- 
poral wants you.” 

The question was as to what should be done 
with the Tories. The discussion did not last 
long. Lafe was not in command of the file of 
American troopers anyway, but he knew what 
to advise. The prisoners were placed upon 
their horses, their hands tied behind them and 
ankles strapped beneath the bodies of the steeds, 
and like a herd of sheep they were driven down 
the road toward the ferry, from which point it 
would be a small matter to get them around 
Germantown and to the Valley Forge camp. 

339 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


The chief of the band of bushwhackers was 
allowed to be removed by his sorrowing father, 
and because of Hadley’s pleading, Lon was 
allowed to go free. 

‘‘ ’Tis true he’s only a boy,” grumbled Hold- 
ness ; ‘‘ but he’ a treacherous little hound and 
has tried his best to do you harm. Had.” 

‘‘ I know it. And I’m sure I don’t feel any 
too kindly toward him. But he’s the only child 
left over there at Alwood’s now, and j^erhaps 
he’ll stay at home after seeing his brother’s ter- 
rible end.” 

‘‘ He deserves hanging,” grumbled the scout. 

And for the very reason that he did not 
know how severe the punishment meted out to 
the Tories would be, Hadley held firm until he 
got Lon free. Hanging seemed too terrible an 
end for his one-time school companion ; but 
Lon hadn’t the grace to thank him for his 
release. 

But Hadley had another and a more serious 
matter to think of, and after this raid upon the 
Morris place he was sure that he could not rest 
in contentment until he had attended to it. 
This was the disposal of the money which he 
believed his uncle had hidden in the orchard the 


340 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


night before Colonel Creston Knowles’ visit to 
the farmhouse. This treasure was, he believed, 
the bulk of, if not all, the ten thousand pounds 
which had been placed in Miser Morris’s hands 
by the old merchant of Liverpool — the trust 
fund which, under certain conditions, was to be 
given over to Colonel Knowles. He wished to 
dig up this treasure and take it to Philadel- 
phia, and when the light-horse and their prison- 
ers had gone Hadley explained this to Lafe 
Holdness, craving his assistance in getting the 
gold safely into the beleaguered city and into 
the British officer’s hands. 

“ Not that any Britisher is desarvin’ of it,” 
declared Lafe, gloomily ; but I don’t s’pose 
you’d feel right in your own mind to keep the 
gold for yourself.” 

‘‘ Neither would you !” exclaimed Hadley. 

‘‘ Wal, no,” admitted Lafe, and they were out 
in the orchard before sunrise to find Miser Mor- 
ris’s hidden hoard. Hadley had well observed 
the place where Uncle Ephraim buried the 
gold, and an hour’s work brought to light the 
top stone of a cairn that had evidently been the 
receptacle for the old man’s wealth for some time 
before his nephew happened to see him at the 

341 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


midnight burying.’^ The bags of coin Hadley 
had seen concealed were in the goodly company 
of several others. And all were of English gold 
and Spanish doubloons excepting one. This 
was filled with the silver pine tree shillings 
minted in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. 

Hadley and his companion counted all this 
wealth, and it occupied several hours to do it. 
The sum which Colonel Knowles claimed had 
been left him in trust by his father was there ; 
but over and above the ten thousand pounds 
(which was, indeed, a fortune in that day), there 
was nearly fifteen hundred pounds wdiich, un- 
doubtedly, had been earned by the investment 
of some of the trust fund before the war had 
broken out, and frightened Uncle Ephraim into 
withdrawing his investments and hiding his 
gold. 

“ You’ll be a rich man after you give back 
the Colonel what’s belongin’ to him,” declared 
Lafe Holdness. ‘Wou’ll do well with this 
money and the farm, lad.” 

But Hadley was in doubt, and against Hold- 
ness’ advice, he took all the bags of coin with 
him when they set out the next morning for 
Philadelphia. 


342 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Though the British might have begun to 
suspect Lafe Hold ness, the pass which he ob- 
tained for Hadley conducted them both safely 
into the city. Holdness put up his team, as 
usual, at the Indian Queen, but the bags of coin 
they removed for safety to Friend Jothan Pye^s 
shop, where Hadley received an abundant wel- 
come from the Quaker and his wife. He 
learned, too, that the Knowleses were still re- 
siding in the house in which he had had his 
interview with Lillian, and he engaged a car- 
riage that very evening to take the gold to 
the British Colonel’s dwelling. Holdness went 
along to guard the money, and remained in the 
carriage with it while Hadley entered the 
house. 

Dinner was just over, and when William, the 
silent serving man, ushered him into the draw- 
ing-room, where Lillian had entertained him 
that memorable afternoon, both the girl and her 
father were present. The former recognized 
him instantly, and sprang up with a cry of 
welcome which sounded good in Hadley’s ears. 

Hadley Morris ! Why do you risk coming 
back to Philadelphia ?” But the Colonel gazed 
upon the rather conscious youth quizzically. 

343 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


Have you come to tell me that the rebel 
army has captured the city since noon and that 
I am your prisoner, Master Morris ?” he asked. 

“Not yet, sir,” returned Hadley, bravely, 
while he accepted Lillian’s hand most gladly. 
“ But the revolutionary army may be demanding 
your surrender ere long.” 

“ Aye, that is so,” returned the Colonel, 
gravely, and he was kind enough to rise and 
offer his own hand to the visitor. “ How often 
have I told better men and those higher in the 
confidence of His Lordship than I, that we were 
dooming ourselves to much trouble and possible 
defeat by lying inactive for these long months. 
And now France has taken up the cause of your 
Mr. Washington. Ah, Hadley, the war has 
outgrown, or soon will outgrow, the name of 
^ rebellion we shall ere long be forced to call 
it ^ revolution,’ as you declare. Yet there can 
be but one end, manifestly. This Mr. Wash- 
ington and his supporters must be crushed and 
the British arms shall do it, when once our 
leaders awake from their trance and learn that 
men with so much determination and ability can 
not be beaten by fiddling, roistering soldiery.” 

“ Colonel Knowles,” returned his young 

344 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


visitor, speaking seriously likewise, I fear that 
your belief in the ultimate success of the British 
arms will not be verified. I have seen this winter 
that which gives me confidence — unshakable 
confidence — in American liberty. Men who have 
suffered what our troops have suffered in Valley 
Forge will never give up this struggle until the 
colonies are free of all control of England. But 
you and I cannot agree in this matter,’^ he 
hastened to add, as he saw the Coloners lower- 
ing brow, and I have not come here to dis- 
cuss it with you. Nor did I come to call upon 
Mistress Lillian,’’ and he bowed to the young 
girl as he spoke. But I once told her that if 
it was ever in my power to right a great wrong 
done you by Ephraim Morris, I should do it. 
And I am here for that purpose.” 

Do you mean — ” began the astonished 
ofiScer.” 

Oh, Hadley ! has he given you the money ?” 

Ha !” exclaimed her father, severely, 
Ephraim Morris would never give up that ten 
thousand pounds in this world — unless he was 
made to.” 

Hadley flushed redly and hesitated. Somehow 
it hurt him, after what had passed at Uncle 
345 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Ephraim^s death, to hear the old man spoken of 
so harshly. And yet he knew that his uncle 
would never be understood. Only he could 
ever believe that, in his last moments, the man 
who had been called a miser, had intended to 
restore the ten thousand pounds, and felt re- 
morse for his wrong-doing. 

My uncle is dead,” he said, gravely. ‘‘ Be- 
fore he died he destroyed his will, in which he 
had, I believe, cut me off with little or nothing, 
and so I am his only heir. I found no direct 
account of the ten thousand pounds which your 
daughter declared was given to Uncle Ephraim 
in trust for you.” The British officer started, 
and his face paled ; but his visitor continued : 
“ Nevertheless, from what my uncle let drop 
before he died, I believe he did have such a sum 
belonging to you, and that in his last moments 
he wished it restored. I found the sum in 
question, and fifteen hundred odd pounds more, 
buried in a secret place in the orchard. Doubt- 
less the fifteen hundred pounds had been gained 
by my uncle from investments made with the 
trust fund. So,” ended Hadley, simply, ‘‘ I 
have brought it all with me, and if you will 
send your man out to the carriage which waits at 
346 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


the door, my friend, Master Holdness, will help 
him bring the bags in.’’ 

For a minute the Colonel and his daughter 
looked at their visitor in speechless amazement. 
Then Lillian’s first act covered Hadley with 
confusion and pretty nearly drove his self- 
possession to the four winds. She got up, 
walked to his chair, and warmly grasping his 
hands, thanked him again and again. Then 
she burst into tears and kissed her father, and 
Hadley began to realize that the recovery of 
this fortune meant more to the reticent English 
officer and his daughter than he had ever 
imagined. 

It was some moments before the Colonel 
could speak. Then the manner in which he 
wrung Hadley’s hand told more than his broken 
words of the pent-up feeling within him. Wil- 
liam was sent hastily to help Holdness with the 
bags of coin, which were brought into the draw- 
ing room and dumped in a pile upon the centre 
table. 

‘‘ Jefers-pelters ! ” exclaimed the Yankee, 
wiping his brow when the last bag was set 
down. ‘‘I ain’t never come so near bein’ 
wealthy in my life b’fore. Tell ye what it is, 
347 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


Colonel, that there Had Morris is three parts 
foolish for giviii’ up so much money ^thout a 
fight for it. But ye can’t talk to him ; he will 
have his own way. Alius was the head- 
strungest boy ever I see.” Then he winked at 
his young friend. I’m goin’ back with the 
kerridge, Had. I reckon you’ll wanter stay a 
while longer an’ get your resate for that gold,” 
and he backed out of the room. 

And although Hadley would have been glad 
to get away in a hurry, rather than listen to 
any further thanks, he was not allowed to do 
so. Besides, Colonel Knowles would not hear 
of accepting anything but the ten thousand 
pounds which had been originally left him by 
his father, the Liverpool merchant, and when 
Hadley finally left, insisted on William going 
with him to Friend Bye’s and helping him 
carry the surplus bags of coin. 

Hadley was treated to another surprise on 
the way to the Quaker’s residence. The Cock- 
ney, William, broke silence of his own accord. 

Hi say. Master Morris,” he remarked, “ Hif 
Hi should take it into me ’ead to come into 
your camp some day could Hi call for you to 
say a word for me ?” 


348 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


“ How do you mean demanded Hadley. 

W’y, sir, Hi’ve been watchin’ this ’ere war 
since Hi came to the country with Colonel 
Knowles, hand hit’s my ’pinion as ’ow these 
’ere Colonists his right. Hi’m thinkin’ some o’ 
j’inin’ them meself.” 

And sure enough, before that eighteenth day 
of J une, when George Roberts galloped out of 
Philadelphia and over the Gulph road with 
the exciting news that the British were on the 
move, William had shouldered a musket in 
Hadley’s own company of Pennsylvania troops. 
But it was years afterward — not until the Revo- 
lution was over and Colonel Knowles had 
bought land and settled in York State him- 
self — that he learned through Hadley what had 
become of his servant when that individual es- 
caped by night from Philadelphia. 


349 


CHAPTER XXVII 

WHEN A REBELLION BECOMES A REVOLUTION 

Hadley Morris, however, returned to the 
camp at Valley Forge in season to observe and 
participate in the great changes for the better 
which laid hold upon the army after Baron 
Steuben, as Major-General and Inspector, insti- 
tuted proper drill and discipline among the 
ragged regulars/’ Hadley, having shut up 
the old Morris house before visiting Colonel 
Knowles and Lillian in Philadelphia, had no 
intention of going back there until the war was 
over. Fortunately, when he entered the camp 
of the American troops, he found his bene- 
factor, Colonel John Cadwalader, present, and 
to him he explained that, now his uncle had 
passed away, there was no further bar to his 
enlistment. 

Colonel Cadwalader had returned at Wash- 
ington’s request to take command of a part of 
350 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


the Pennsylvania troops, for more and more 
was it becoming apparent that the Irish- 
French man, Conway, was stirring up trouble 
for the Commander-in-chief. Conway’s con- 
tinued statements in regard to Washington’s 
inability so aroused the latter’s personal friends, 
as well as the rank and file of the army, that 
certain supporters of the Conway cabal,” as 
it was later called, notably Samuel Adams, 
dared not show themselves at Valley Forge at 
all. Lee, but lately exchanged for the British 
General Prescott, was also back in camp, aiding 
and abetting in every calumny or slander aimed 
at His Excellency. Better had it been for the 
American cause had that ambitious and traitor- 
ous man remained in a British prison, and only 
by a trick of fortune did he escape sharing 
Conway’s fate. The latter was called out ” 
by Colonel Cadwalader, for in those days a duel 
was considered a perfectly legitimate way in 
which to settle a dispute, or prove or disprove a 
statement. 

So, with the friendship and influence of Col- 
onel Cadwalader behind him, Hadley Morris, 
though but a boy, obtained a lieutenant’s com- 
mission and was billeted to the regiment of his 
351 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


old friend Prentice, now Major Prentice. He 
continued to act as aide to General Wayne, 
however, and upon Black Molly was a promi- 
nent figure about the camp during the last weeks 
of the occupation of Valley Forge. 

Nor was it so strange at that time that a mere 
boy should be an ofiicer in the American army. 
There were many boys at Valley Forge that 
spring of ’78 whose names were destined to be 
enrolled upon America’s record of honor. 
There was that boy of less than twenty, called 
James Monroe, who was there then to prophesy 
that one day his doctrine ” should keep 
America unpolluted from the grasp of European 
politics. There were two other youths there — 
still mere boys — whose names were destined to 
be linked sorrowfully together in later life — 
Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Gene- 
ral Lafayette himself was scarcely of age, and 
the future Chief Justice of the United States, 
John Marshall, bore a musket in the Third 
Virginia, and suffered with the patience of a 
high-minded youth at Valley Forge. 

Hadley found that as a regular ofiicer he had 
not the freedom he had once enjoyed, but he 
was interested in his men and eager to learn 
352 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


himself. He found at once that there was 
ample opportunity to learn, if so be he was in- 
clined, for there was a master mind in the art 
of war in the camp. Baron Steuben, next to 
Washington himself, was the hardest working 
man at Valley Forge. As Major General and 
Inspector of the army, he had instituted a dis- 
cipline unknown before among the ragged 
regulars.” 

Beginning with a picked company of a hun- 
dred and twenty men, many of them young 
officers who volunteered for the service, the 
Baron drilled them on foot himself, musket in 
hand. These, when they became proficient, he 
made models for others, and when Hadley came 
back, after his uncle’s death, the whole camp 
was like a military school. 

A skillful soldier, a thorough disciplinarian, 
a gentleman of polished manners, Baron Steuben 
possessed the ability and self-effacement needed 
to make him a power in this work. No private 
in the ranks lived more abstemiously than him- 
self. Rising at three in the morning, he 
smoked his long Hutch pipe, while his servant 
dressed his hair. Then fortified by a cup of 
coffee he was on horseback at sunrise, and gal- 
353 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


loped to the parade. There all day he drilled 
the men. The privates themselves might tire, 
and company after company be brought up to 
be put through their evolutions, but the Baron 
never showed fatigue. At nightfall he returned 
to the hut in which he made his quarters, and 
worked far into the night over regulations, in- 
structions to the inspectors under him, and 
upon the multitude of clerical duties which fell 
to his office. 

It was to Baron Steuben that Monmouth was 
due, for when the Americans marched out of 
the Valley Forge camp, they were an efficient, 
well-disciplined army, whereas they had been a 
straggling band of liberty-loving yet disheart- 
ened and ill-governed men when they marched 
over the old Gulph road through the falling 
snow of that December day, seven months be- 
fore. 

Valley Forge was truly the turning point of 
the struggle of the colonies against the mother 
country. While the troops suffered and drilled 
in that wilderness, the alliance with France was 
being formed, and the uplift which this gave 
the battling and newly-born nation cannot be 
over-estimated. The surety of the treaty with 
354 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


France encouraged Congress to reject the over- 
tures of the British parliament in April, and 
on May 4th news of the settling of the French 
alliance reached that patient, quiet, never- 
resting Man in the little stone house under the 
hill on the bank of Valley creek — that man 
whose belief in the righteousness of the Cause 
of Liberty and in the incontrovertible fact that, 
in the end, right will prevail, had held together 
a mob of yeomen through a time that would 
have tested the patriotism of the Greeks them- 
selves to the utmost. 

That spring at Valley Forge was a time of 
much bustle and preparation. With General 
Greene made quartermaster by Congress, the 
army was finally being well and regularly fed, 
and clothed as well. All the long winter 
the British had allowed the Americans to re- 
main in their camp undisturbed. One well- 
planned blow at Valley Forge might have set 
forward the final declaration of American free- 
dom a quarter of a century. But Howe pre- 
ferred to lie idle and let his men and officers 
carouse and be feted by those Tories who trusted 
in a red coat rather than a loyal heart beating 
under a ragged bufP jacket. 

355 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


When the British finally awoke to their 
position in the beleaguered city, the time for 
striking that fatal blow had passed. Recruits 
were flocking to Valley Forge, and the Ameri- 
cans were rapidly preparing for some decisive 
blow. The foreign army dared not await the 
onslaught, and, after sending three thousand 
Tories to New York by water (the traitors dared 
not remain in Philadelphia after the redcoats 
went) the British, encumbered by twelve miles 
of baggage wagons, commenced a slow retreat 
across Jersey to the more easily held New York 
City. 

The evacuation had been expected, and the 
first news of the movement set every battalion 
in motion in the American camp. Brigade after 
brigade left the quarters in which they had 
starved and frozen during the long, terrible 
winter, and marched over the pontoon bridges 
flung across the Schuylkill, and, less troubled 
by baggage, gained upon the enemy. It was then 
that General Lee showed his treacherous inten- 
tions, and, being next in command to Washing- 
ton himself, did all in his power to throw ob- 
stacles in the way of the patriot army and dis- 
courage a battle. Yet His Excellency knew 
356 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


that the patriots had everything to gain, while 
Clinton had everything to lose, in joining 
issues. Therefore, against Lee’s insistent ad- 
vice, Washington was determined to attack the 
British before they could reach the safety of 
New York. 

The two armies were marching parallel, but 
several miles apart, the Americans gradually 
forging ahead. Seeing this, Clinton turned east, 
following the road which led through Mon- 
mouth and Middletown to Sandy Hook. Wash- 
ington at once detached five thousand troops 
from his rear guard to attack the rear of the 
British, intending to cut the latter off from the 
Hessians, who led the advance of the enemy. 
It was Lee’s right to command this attack- 
ing force, and with him was Lafayette and 
Wayne. 

When the plan became known on that Satur- 
day afternoon, the eager soldiery as well as their 
officers were delighted at the prospect. All 
winter they had lain at Valley Forge without 
being able to strike a blow at the enemy. They 
felt the confidence of well-drilled men, and 
looked forward cheerfully to a trial of their 
strength against the grenadiers and Hessians. 

357 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


Hadley, as Wayne^s dispatch-bearer, was busy 
indeed carrying messages back and forth be- 
tween the generals. Wayne and Lafayette 
worked excellently together, for both were anx- 
ious for the fray. Lee sulked, objected to the 
orders of the Commander-in-Chief, openly de- 
clared that his men were no match for the 
British, and finally refused to lead the attack. 

There can be little doubt but that his refusal 
was gladly accepted by Washington, who al- 
ready doubted Lee^s loyalty. The young French 
Marquis was appointed to command in the Vir- 
ginian’s stead, and the prospect for the battle 
on the morrow looked bright, indeed. But Lee 
changed his mind over-night, having mean- 
time, without much doubt, consulted by letter 
with the British commander, with whom he had 
been coquetting all along, and on Sunday 
morning agreed to lead the American attack 
after all. His re-decision was well-nigh fatal 
to the American arms. 

Sunday morning, June 28th, was exceedingly 
hot, the thermometer standing at 96 degrees in 
the shade. The night before Cornwallis, with 
about eight thousand British, lay at Monmouth 
Court-house, while an equal number of Hessians 
358 


JVith Washington at Valley Forge 


were encamped not far away. The Americans 
fell upon the rear guard very early, General 
Wayne commanding the centre of attack, while 
Lafayette led one wing and Lee the other. 
Hadley Morris, therefore, had plenty of oppor- 
tunity for active service during the bitter strug- 
gle. Yet he would have been better contented 
had he been assigned to his own company, and 
marched with those grim -faced men whose 
muskets flashed back the brilliant sunshine as 
they deployed through the ravine which gave 
into the Monmouth road. 

The attack had already begun in front, when 
Prentice, with the regiment at a quick trot, 
went by him. Youfll be shot first up there 
on that horse. Had cried the Major, with a 
laugh. Prentice always laughed when there 
seemed any chance of a scrimmage. ‘‘And 
that’s all the good it will do me,” thought the 
boy, in some distaste. Yet he could not rejoin 
his men when Anthony Wayne commanded 
him to remain where he was. He was on a 
height, and could see quite plainly the first 
clash of arms as the two armies came together. 

The British were so strung along the road 
that it seemed quite impossible for them to meet 

359 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


the five thousand Americans with any real suc- 
cess. They began to give back at once. Yet 
it was only Wayne’s division that was really 
fighting in earnest. Lafayette had not been 
able to reach the enemy as quickly as the im- 
petuous Quaker, while Lee was holding his 
men back most unaccountably. Suddenly an 
aide dashed up from Lee ordering Wayne to 
fall back. 

The command appalled Wayne ; he could not 
believe the message had been delivered aright. 
It was a moment for charging the almost de- 
moralized British, not for giving way before 
them. Not until a second message from Lee 
arrived did he slowly withdraw his men. Lee’s 
wing was already in disorder. The battle which 
had at first seemed surely in the Americans’ 
favor, now promised to be a bad defeat. But 
Mad Anthony ” Wayne was not alone in his 
suspicions of Lee’s treachery. Lafayette, too, 
saw the beginning of the disorderly rout. 
Wayne had sent Hadley Morris to repeat Lee’s 
order to the Frenchman. The latter fairly 
wrung his hands in despair. 

It is fatal ! It is fatal !” he cried. Then he 
turned to his staff with blazing eyes. The 
360 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


day must be saved, monsieurs. His Excellency 
must be informed. He alone can control this 
revolt. I will send to him — ’’ 

His eye fell upon the young dispatch-bearer. 

You, monsieur, must find General Washing- 
ton. Do you understand 

Hadley saluted, and drew the mare’s rein 
tighter. 

“ It is well. Ride furiously, monsieur. Tell 
him from me that his presence upon the field is 
sorely needed. Away !” 

Obeying the pressure of her master’s hand, 
Black Molly darted away from the group of 
anxious officers. Already the wounded, and 
those faint-hearts who ever grasp the first op- 
portunity for escape from the scene of a real 
battle, were streaming along the road and 
through the fields to the rear. Naturally 
Wayne’s men retreated more orderly than did 
those under Lee’s direct command ; but a rout 
is infectious. With broken columns streaming 
through the fighting lines, the entire attacking 
force might break and retreat madly at any 
time. 

Young as he was, and with but a brief ex- 
perience, Hadley well understood this. He saw 
361 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 

the danger, and, in common with Lafayette and 
his advisers, the young courier knew that there 
was just one person who could yet bring victory 
out of imminent defeat. With all his impetu- 
osity Wayne could not do this, nor could the 
brave and chivalrous Marquis ; they did not 
possess the power to counter Lee^s orders. But 
the Commander-in-Chief himself could stay the 
tide and perhaps turn the battle. 

The heat was terrible ; men, both wounded 
and those who helped them, were dropping on 
the roadside. In spite of this, however, Had- 
ley tore along the way, urging Black Molly to 
her best paces as she had seldom been urged 
before. Even when Colonel Knowles and the 
dragoons chased him on the Ferry road months 
before he had not ridden faster. Choked by 
dust, gasping for breath, his hat off and his un- 
bound hair flying in the wind which the mare’s 
speed made, he leaned forward in the saddle reck- 
less of his own danger or his steed’s w^ell-being. 
He reached a cross-road. A cry to a watchful 
picket gave him the right direction, and on and 
on he rode until finally he beheld the uniforms 
of the Life Guard right ahead. 

And there upon a little hill he saw a group 

362 


Washington at Valley Forge 


of horsemen. There was one on a dapple gray 
steed — a commanding figure which he knew 
well even at that distance. He stopped not for 
a password or explanation. He nigh overrode 
an officious sentinel and charged the slope of the 
gentle hill as though storming a vantage point 
of the enemy. The rattle of musketry behind 
him was still vigorous, but there was an irregu- 
larity about the discharges which had already 
troubled the watchful commander. 

You are from the field!’’ said Washington, 
quickly, as Hadley drew in his mare. ‘‘ What 
of General Lee, sirrah ?” Then he recognized 
the flushed and perspiring face of the young 
aide. ‘‘ Ha 1 ’tis Lieutenant Morris. What of 
General Wayne, then, sir?” 

“ I come from General Lafayette, Your Excel- 
lency,” stammered the boy. He fears — ” 
Fears what, sirrah?” was the impatient 
query. ‘‘ Is not all right ? Is Lee — ” 

The army is retreating, sir. It is General 
Lee’s command.” 

What, sir !” and the Commander-in-Chiet’s 
voice suddenly became harsh and his eyes 
gleamed. What is this you tell us ?” 

General Lafayette bade me tell you that 
363 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


your presence on the field is sorely needed,” 
cried Hadley. ‘‘A retreat all along the line 
has been drdered.” 

For a moment Washington looked as though 
one of those rare outbursts of passion before 
which his * subordinates trembled when they 
did come, was imminent. Then suddenly, 
without an order to his staff, he plunged 
spurs into his mount’s sides, 4nd dashed off to- 
ward the scene of the raging battle. Several 
aides followed, and Hadley, without halting to 
breathe his steed, joined their train. Black 
Molly had run nobly, but she was well-nigh 
spent and he could not keep up with the others. 
But he arrived in time to see one of the most 
wonderful exhibitions of military skill in the 
history of human warfare. 

The instant the gray horse and his command- 
ing rider appeared, the breaking ranks of the 
patriot army halted. A faint cheer went up, 
which extended further and further along the 
serried lines. Those who had been giving way 
before the exultant grenadiers halted ; the men 
who had already begun to flee came back with 
renewed courage to assist their comrades. Wav- 
ing his sword as he rode, Washington plunged 

364 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


through the broken lines and met Lee face to 
face. 

What is the meaning of all this was his 
demand^ his suppressed passion almost choking 
his speech. And then, without listening to his 
subordinate's craven reply, he turned to his 
beloved troops and by the magic of his presence 
brought order out of chaos. Now did Baron 
Steuben’s training plainly show upon the erst- 
while raw yeomanry. They rallied to the 
standards. The officers led them back upon 
the enemy’s lines. Before the day was over the 
battle of Monmouth could be safely ranked as 
an American victory, although it had not the 
effect it might have had was Lee an honest man. 
The British escaped from the field by leaving 
their wounded and killed in the hands of the 
Americans ; they might, however, have been 
totally overwhelmed. But such was the moral 
effect of the battle that more than two thousand 
Hessians deserted from the retreating army be- 
fore it reached New York City. 

Late in the day, when the field had been re- 
won and the enemy put to flight, a group of 
officers rode slowly through a ravine leading up 
from the Monmouth road to the heights above. 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


At one point they came upon a black horse 
lying upon its side in the gravel. A figure 
bent over it, with his arms around the creature^s 
neck, and so engaged was this person, that the 
officers rode almost over the two ere they were 
observed. Leaping up and standing at atten- 
tion, when he recognized the group, the youth- 
ful form and features of Hadley Morris were 
revealed. The boy’s face was tear-streaked, and 
he made no effort to hide his grief. 

How now, sirrah ?” exclaimed he who was 
the central figure of the group. ^‘Are you 
wounded. Lieutenant ?” 

“ No, Your Excellency. But my — my dear 
Molly dropped under me when I rode back to 
the field — ” 

Why, ’tis Master Morris !” interrupted the 
other. “ He brought your message to me. 
Marquis,” he added, turning to the young ofiicer 
at his side. ^^He is one of General Wayne’s 
aides.” Then he beckoned the trembling youth 
to draw near, and leaning from his saddle laid 
his hand upon Hadley’s shoulder. ‘‘You rode 
well, to-day. Captain Morris,” he said, and 
passed on. 

Black Molly was indeed sorely spent, but 
366 


With Washington at Valley Forge 


Hadley put forth every effort in her behalf, 
and finally she was able to follow him slowly 
off the field. It then needed only a long rest 
and careful attention to make her as fit as 
ever. ' 

When General Washington made a promo- 
tion on the field, he never forgot to have the 
appointment confirmed. And in Prentice, Colo- 
nel Cadwalader, and the Yankee scout, Lafe 
Holdness, he found friends eager to congratu- 
late him upon his good fortune in attracting 
the attention of the Commander-in-Chief. I 
told you a mighty good ofiicer was being spoiled 
as long as you continued a stable-boy at a coun- 
try inn,” Major Prentice declared. ‘‘And if 
you’re spared, you’ll rise higher yet,” which 
prophecy was really fulfilled, for Hadley Mor- 
ris went back to his uncle’s farm, when the war 
was over, with a major’s commission himself. 

There were dark days for the American cause, 
even after Valley Forge was but a painful 
memory ; but none were so dark as those which 
have been here related, with the battle of Mon- 
mouth, where victory was snatched from the 
very jaws of defeat by Washington’s personal 
efforts, the cause entered upon a more hopeful 
367 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


era. It was at this time that the forces which 
had been at work all winter against the Com- 
mander-in-Chief came to a head, and following 
swiftly upon the exposure of the cabal was the 
punishment of its head and front, the man 
Conway. 

Perhaps no more fitting tribute to the char- 
acter of the man whose spirit kept alive the 
fires of liberty in Valley Forge was ever written 
than that which emanated from the wounded 
Conway as, believing his death imminent, he 
penned the following letter to George Washing- 
ton : 

Sir : —I find myself just able to hold my pen 
during a few minutes, and take this opportunity 
of expressing my sincere grief for having done, 
written, or said any tiling disagreeable to Your 
Excellency. My career will soon be over ; 
therefore justice and truth prompt me to de- 
clare my last sentiments. You are in my eyes 
The Great and Good Man. May you long 
enjoy the love, esteem, and veneration of these 
States whose liberties you have asserted by 
your virtues.’^ 

Stern though he was by nature, patrician as 
he has been called, Washington’s comment 
368 


IVith Washington at Valley Forge 


when he received this abject apology showed 
the Christian kindness which was the founda- 
tion of one of the noblest characters the world 
has ever seen. Poor Conway !’’ he said. ‘‘ He 
never could have intended much harm. There 
is nothing to forgive.’’ 

And so we come to the end of this narrative 
— the story of a boy’s exciting ^^art in the inci- 
dents of that memorable winter of 1777 - 78 . 
Later events might be spoken of, and there 
might be recounted the honorable part which 
Hadley Morris took in the further movements 
of the American forces until freedom for the 
States was a fact rather than a dream. But the 
object has been to interest the reader in the boy 
hero ; and, after the experiences herein related, 
Hadley Morris can scarce longer be called a 
boy ; for experience makes us old; not years, 



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